Ranjith v. The State Rep by the Inspector of Police

ORDER The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on

04.07.2026 for the alleged offences under Sections 8(c) read with 20(b)(ii)(B) of NDPS Act in Crime No. 336 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail. Page2 of 6

¶2The case of the prosecution is that the accused persons were found to be in illegal possession of 1.400 kg of ganja.

¶3The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present case and that he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. He further submitted that there are three accused in this case and that the petitioner is ranked as A2. He further submitted that the petitioner is ready to abide by any stringent conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prays for grant of bail to the Petitioner.

¶4Per contra, the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the Respondent Police reiterated the prosecution case and he fairly conceded that there is no previous case pending against the petitioner. However, he opposed the grant of bail to the Petitioner.

¶5I have given my anxious consideration to either side submissions and perused the materials available on record.

¶6Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, and taking note of the submissions made by the learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side); since the alleged recovery from the petitioner is only 1.400 kg of ganja, which Page3 of 6 constitutes an intermediate quantity; and given that there are no previous cases pending against the petitioner, alongside the period of incarceration undergone by the petitioner since 04.07.2026, this Court is of the firm view that further custody is not required for the purpose of investigation. Hence, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner, subject to certain conditions.

¶7Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his executing a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) with two sureties each, for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate No.II, Salem , and on further conditions that: [a] the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the Application for Surety ship [Judicial Form No.46 annexed to 'The Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019']. The learned Magistrate shall obtain a copy of any one of the identity proofs to ensure their identity; [b] the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m., until further orders; [c] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial; [d] the petitioner shall not tamper with the evidence or witness either during investigation or trial; Page4 of 6 [e] On breach of any of the aforementioned conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to pass appropriate orders against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the aforementioned conditions have been imposed and the petitioner released on bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005)13 SCC 283]; [f] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of B.N.S. 19-08-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order MFA Note:

¶1Registry is directed to forthwith upload this order in the Official Website of this Court.

¶2All concerned to act on this order being uploaded in Official Website of this Court without insisting on certified hard copies. To be noted, this order when uploaded in the official website of this Court will be watermarked and will also have a QR code. Page5 of 6 To

¶1The Judicial Magistrate No.II, Salem.

¶2The Superintendent, Central Prison, Salem.

¶3The Inspector of Police Sooramangalam Police Station, Salem District

¶4The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Chennai. CRLoOPoNo.o23193oofo2026 N.RAMESH,oJ. MFA CRLoOPoNo.o23193oofo2026 19-08-2026 Page6oofo6

Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 19-08-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE N.RAMESH Ranjith ..Petitioner Vs The State Rep by The Inspector of Police Sooramangalam Police Station, Salem District, Crime No.336/2026. ..Respondent PRAYER: This Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 483 of BNSS, praying to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No.336 of 2026 on the file of respondent. For Petitioner: Mr.C.Deepakkumar For Respondent Mr.M.M.I.Khaleel Government Advocate (Crl.Side)