Crl.O.P.No.16065 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 25.06.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE Mr. JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Crl.O.P.No.16065 of 2026 Gopal ... Petitioner Vs. State rep. by: The Inspector of Police, CSCID-Salem Unit. (Crime No.167/2026) ... Respondent PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner in the event of their arrest in Crime No.167 of 2026 on the file of the respondent Police pending investigation. For Petitioner : Mr.R.Anish Kumar For Respondent : Mrs.R.S.Indira Government Advocate (Crl.Side) O R D E R The petitioner apprehends arrest for the alleged offences under Section 6(4) of TNSC (RDCS) order 1982 r/w 7(1)(a)(ii) of Essential Commodities Act, 1955 in Crime No.167 of 2026, on the file of the respondent police seeks anticipatory bail. 1/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.16065 of 2026 2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner, along with A1, was found in possession of 30 bags of Public Distribution System (PDS) rice, each bag weighing 50 kilograms, aggregating to 1,500 kilograms. It is alleged that the said PDS rice was illegally stocked for the purpose of black marketing and unlawful sale. Hence, the case. 3. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is innocent and he has not committed any offence as alleged by the defacto complainant and he has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submitted that he is ready to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court and ready to co-operate with the investigation. Hence, he prayed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police submits that the petitioner is having six previous cases. He further submits that if the petitioner is enlarged on anticipatory bail, he may abscond and commit similar offences in future as well. Hence, he vehemently opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 5. I have given my anxious consideration to either side submissions. 2/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.16065 of 2026 6. From the submissions made by the learned counsel appearing on either side and the materials available on record, it is seen that the petitioner, along with the co-accused, is alleged to have illegally transported 1,500 kilograms of Public Distribution System (PDS) rice, which is a substantial quantity. Further, it is seen that the petitioner has six previous cases against him, which clearly demonstrates that whenever he was granted anticipatory bail by the courts, he misused the liberty granted to him. In view of the same, if the petitioner is enlarged on anticipatory bail, he may be emboldened to indulge in similar offences in the future without fear of the law. Hence, taking into consideration the interest of society at large, this Court is not inclined to enlarge the petitioner on anticipatory bail. 7. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition stands dismissed. 25.06.2026 kv To 1.The Judicial Magistrate No.II, Salem. 2.The Inspector of Police, CSCID-Salem Unit. 3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras. 3/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Crl.O.P.No.16065 of 2026 C.KUMARAPPAN.J. kv Crl.O.P.No.16065 of 2026 25.06.2026 4/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis