Authority: High Court of Judicature at Madras

Order Date: 01-10-2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioner: Arivazhagan S/o Ramalingam, residing at No.4/620, Maariyamman Koil Street, Mayilankuppam, Sendamangalam, Ulundurpettai, Villupuram District.
  • Respondent: The State represented by The Inspector of Police, Thirunavalur Police Station, Kallakurichi District (Crime No.329 of 2026).
  • Petition filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, seeking bail.
  • Allegations: Petitioner, along with other accused, allegedly possessed 366 kg of banned tobacco products, violating Section 123 of BNS, 2023 read with Section 24(1) of the COTPA Act.
  • Petitioner was arrested and placed in judicial custody on 21.08.2026.
  • Government Advocate (Criminal Side) highlighted two prior cases against the petitioner and opposed bail.
  • Counsel for petitioner claimed false implication and willingness to comply with stringent conditions.

Final Outcome

  • The Court, after consideration, granted bail with the following conditions:

1. Deposit a non‑refundable sum of Rs 25,000 (Rupees Twenty‑Five Thousand only) by Demand Draft to Arignar Anna Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Institute, Kancheepuram.

2. Execute a bond for Rs 25,000 with two sureties, to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate No.II, Ulundurpettai, using Judicial Form No.46 (Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019) with photographs and left thumb impressions of sureties.

3. Report daily before the respondent police at 10:30 a.m. until further orders.

4. Not abscond during investigation or trial.

5. Not tamper with evidence or witnesses during investigation or trial.

6. On breach of any condition, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court may pass appropriate orders as per Supreme Court precedent in P.K. Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005) 13 SCC 283].

7. If the accused absconds thereafter, a fresh FIR may be registered under Section 269 of BNS.

  • Order signed by Justice N. Ramesh.
  • Registry directed to upload the order on the official website of the Court with watermark and QR code; all concerned to act on the uploaded order without requiring certified hard copies.
  • Copies of the order sent to Judicial Magistrate No.II, Ulundurpettai; Inspector of Police, Thirunavalur Police Station; Superintendent of Prison, Sub Jail, Kallakurichi; and the Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

Topics: Criminal Bail, Tobacco Enforcement