CRL OP No. 18998 of 2026 __________ Page1 of 4 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 17-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE G.K. ILANTHIRAIYAN CRL OP No. 18998 of 2026 Sethuramachandran ..Petitioner Vs The State Rep by The Inspector of Police, PEW Pallikaranai Unit, Chennai. ..Respondent PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail pending trial in C.C.No.634 of 2025 on the file of the II Additional EC and NDPS Court at Chennai. For Petitioner: Mr.G.Nirmal Krishnan For Respondent: Mr.S.Yogaraja Sekar Counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu (Criminal Side) ORDER The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 15.02.2025 for the alleged offence under Sections 8(C) r/w 20(b)(ii)(c) and 29(1) of NDPS Act in CC.No.634 of 2025 on the file of the II Additional EC and NDPS Court at Chennai in Crime No.11 of 2025 on the file of the https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18998 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 4 respondent police, seeks bail. 2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner along with other accused were found to be in possession of 8 kgs of ganja. Hence, the case. 3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is innocent and he has been falsely implicated in this case. It is further submitted that he is a law-abiding citizen having permanent residence and he is ready to cooperate with the investigation. The learned counsel would also submit that the petitioner will abide by any conditions imposed by this Court and will not abscond. Hence, he prays to grant bail to the petitioner.. 4. Per contra, the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the Respondent Police reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that there are totally three accused and this petitioner has been arrayed as A3. It is further submitted that the petitioner has not satisfied the twin conditions contemplated under Section 37 of the NDPS Act and therefore, he is not entitled to bail. 5. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned Government counsel (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent and perused the materials available on record. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18998 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 4 6. This Court is of the view that considering the nature of the allegation and the fact that the case involves commercial quantity, the rigour under Section 37 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 Act squarely applies. Further, the petitioner has failed to satisfy the twin conditions as contemplated under Section 37 of the NDPS Act. Hence, this Court is not inclined to grant bail to the petitioner. 7. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition stands dismissed. 17-07-2026 SHL To: 1. The II Additional EC and NDPS Court, Chennai 2. The Inspector of Police, PEW Pallikaranai Unit, Chennai. 3. The Public Prosecutor High Court of Madras https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18998 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 4 G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN J. SHL CRL OP No. 18998 of 2026 17-07-2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis