CRL OP No. 23047 of 2026 __________ Page1 of 4 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 18-08-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE N.RAMESH CRL OP No. 23047 of 2026 Balaji S/o.Chinnappan, No.14/52, Gemmangkuppam, Devarishikuppam Post, K.V.Kuppam Taluk, Vellore District. ..Petitioner(s) Vs The State Rep by The Sub Inspector of Police Pernampet Police Station, Vellore District. Crime No.247/2026. ..Respondent(s) PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No.247 of 2026 on the file of the Sub Inspector of Police, Pernampet Police Station, Vellore District For Petitioner(s): M/s.V.Muthu Pandi For Respondent(s): Mr.M.M.I.Khaleel, Govt.Advocate (Crl.Side) ORDER The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 01.08.2026 for the alleged offence under Sections 7, 20(2) of COTPA Act 2003, r/w 123 of BNS, 2023 in Crime No.247 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 23047 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 4 2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitoner along with other accused was found in illegal possession of 12.165 kgs of banned tobacco products. Hence, a case has been registered against the petitioner. 3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted 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. Hence, he prayed to grant bail to the petitioner. 4. Per contra, the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and, upon instructions, submitted that the petitioner has no previous cases pending against him and that the investigation is at initial stage. Hence, he oppose to grant bail to the petitioner. 5. I have given my anxious consideration to either side submissions. 6. In the case on hand, 12.165 kgs of banned tobacco products have been seized. Though the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) submitted that there are no previous cases against the petitioner, considering the nature of the offence, its serious impact on society and the fact that the investigation is at initial stage, this Court is not inclined to enlarge the petitioner on bail. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 23047 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 4 7. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is dismissed. 18-08-2026 DRL To 1.The Sub Inspector of Police Pernampet Police Station, Vellore District. 2.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 23047 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 4 N.RAMESH, J. DRL CRL OP No. 23047 of 2026 18-08-2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis