Srikanth v. The State Rep by the Inspector of Police

ORDER The petitioners, who were arrested and remanded to judicial custody on

10.07.2026 for the alleged offences under Sections 8(c), 20(b)(ii)(b), 25 & 29(1) of NDPS Act in Crime No.125 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seek bail. Page2 of 5

¶2The case of the prosecution is that the petitioners were found to be in possession of 5.3 kgs of ganja. Hence, the case.

¶3The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners have been falsely implicated in the present case and that they have not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. He further submitted that the petitioners are ready to abide by any stringent conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prays for grant of bail to the Petitioners.

¶4Per contra, the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the Respondent Police reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that the 1st petitioner has no criminal antecedents and the recovery from this petitioner is 1.1 kg of ganja and with regard to 2nd petitioner, he has also filed another bail application through his counsel which has been listed today. Hence, opposed the grant of bail to the petitioners.

¶5Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners, the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) for the respondent Police and perused the materials available on record.

¶6Considering the facts and circumstances of the case; taking note of the submission made by the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side); considering Page3 of 5 the totality of the circumstances and considering the fact that the 1st petitioner has no criminal antecedents and the quantity involved is of an intermediate quantity, hence this Court is inclined to grant bail to the 1st petitioner and that with regard to 2nd petitioner, this Criminal Original Petition is dismissed insofar as 2nd petitioner is concerned on the ground that he has also filed another application through his Counsel which has been listed today. Hence, this Court is not inclined to grant bail to the 2nd petitioner and inclined to grant bail to the 1st petitioner subject to certain conditions.

¶7Accordingly, the 1st 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 V Judicial Magistrate at Coimbatore, 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 1st petitioner shall report before the respondent police everyday at 10.30 a.m., until further orders; [c] the 1st petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial; [d] the 1st petitioner shall not tamper with the evidence or witness either during investigation or trial; Page4 of 5 [e] On breach of any of the aforementioned conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to pass appropriate orders against the 1st petitioner in accordance with law as if the aforementioned conditions have been imposed and the 1st 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. 20-08-2026 SHL 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. To:

¶1The V Judicial Magistrate at Coimbatore

¶2The Central Prison, Coimbatore

¶3The Inspector of Pplice, PEW Coimbatore city, Coimbatore District

¶4The Public Prosecutor High Court of Madras CRLoOPoNo.o23356oofo2026 N.RAMESHoJ. SHL CRLoOPoNo.o23356oofo2026 20-08-2026 Page5oofo5

Page1 of 5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 20-08-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE N.RAMESH 1. Srikanth 2. Ragavan ..Petitioners Vs The State Rep by The Inspector of Police PEW Coimbatore City, Coimbatore District. Crime No.125/2026. ..Respondent PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No.125 of 2026 pending on the file of the respondent. For Petitioners: Mr.K.A.M.Jagadish Kumar For Respondent: Mr.M.M.I.Khaleel Government Advocate (Crl.Side)