CRL OP No. 18005 of 2026 __________ Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 13-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN CRL OP No. 18005 of 2026 Matheshwaran, S/o Maniamran ..Petitioner/Accused No.2 Vs The State Represented by The Inspector of Police Orleanpet Police Station, Puducherry 605 001. Crime No.125 of 2026 ..Respondent(s) PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, pleased to enlarge this petitioner on bail concerned in Crime No.125 of 2026 on the file of the Orleanpet Police Station, Puducherry pending before the Special Judge (Under NDPS Act)/III Additional Sessions Judge, Puducherry. For Petitioner(s): Mr.J.John Harrison For Respondent(s): Mr.M.V.Ramachandra Murthy, Public Prosecutor, Government of Puducherry assisted by Mr.M.Thamizhmani ORDER The petitioner/A2, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 07.06.2026 for the alleged offences under Sections 20 (b) (ii) (B) read with 8(c) of NDPS Act, 1985 in Crime No.125 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18005 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 6 2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner, along with the other accused was found in illegal possession of dried ganja leaves weighing about 1.050 kg, packed in 17 plastic packets. Hence the case. 3.The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is innocent and has been in custody since 07.06.2026. He further submitted that the petitioner is ready to abide by any stringent condition that may be imposed by this Court and ready to co-operate for investigation. Hence, he prays to grant bail to the petitioner. 4. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and, upon instructions, submitted that no previous cases have been registered against the petitioner. Hence, he opposed for grant of bail to the petitioner. 5.Considering the totality of the circumstances, the fact that the petitioner has no bad antecedents, that the petitioner has been incarcerated since 07.06.2026, and that the total recovery of contraband constitutes a smal quantity, this court is of the firm view that his further custody is not necessary. Consequently, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner with certain conditions. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18005 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 6 6. Accordingly, 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 Special Judge (Under NDPS Act)/ III Additional Sessions Judge, Puducherry and subject to the following conditions: [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; [e] on breach of any of the aforementioned conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate action against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the conditions had been imposed and the petitioner released on bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court itself, as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005)13 SCC 283]; https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18005 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 6 [f] if the petitioner thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR may be registered under Section 269 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 13-07-2026 jrs Note: 1. Registry is directed to forthwith upload this order in the Official Website of this Court. 2. All 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. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18005 of 2026 __________ Page5 of 6 To 1.The Special Judge (Under NDPS Act)/III Additional Sessions Judge, Puducherry. 2.The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Puducherry. 3.The Inspector of Police Orleanpet Police Station, Puducherry 605 001. Crime No.125 of 2026 4.The Public Prosecutor High Court of Madras. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18005 of 2026 __________ Page6 of 6 C.KUMARAPPAN, J. jrs CRL OP No. 18005 of 2026 13-07-2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis