Vijayaraj vs State Of Kerala

Mohammed Nias C.P., J

This application is filed under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure seeking regular bail. The petitioner is the accused in Crime No. 225/2023 of Karunagappally Excise Range Office, Kollam, for having committed the offence punishable under Section 55(i) of the Abkari Act.

The prosecution case is that, at 1 P.M. on 12.10.2023, the accused was found engaged in the illegal sale of liquor on the road in front of the house bearing No. VI/455 Thevalakkara Grama Panchayath and 5.500-litre IMFL and Thondy money of Rs.500/- was seized by the Excise officials, and thus, the accused has committed the offence alleged against him.

The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is totally innocent and has been falsely implicated with ulterior motives. At any rate, he points out that the petitioner is in custody from 12.10.2023, and the continued custody of the petitioner is unnecessary.

The learned Public Prosecutor opposed the petition and points out that the petitioner is not entitled to bail.

After having considered the submissions of the learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Public Prosecutor and considering the nature of the offences committed by the petitioner, the quantity of the contraband involved and the fact that he has been in custody from 12.10.2023 and also, since there is no apprehension raised by the prosecution that if released on bail, the petitioner is likely to abscond, I hold that bail can be granted to the petitioner.

Accordingly, this application is allowed, and the petitioner is granted bail subject to the following conditions:-

(i) The petitioner shall be released on bail on executing a bond for Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand only) with two solvent sureties each for the like sum to the satisfaction of the jurisdictional court;

(ii) The petitioner shall report before the Investigating Officer as and when directed.

(iii) The petitioner shall not tamper or attempt to tamper with the evidence or influence or try to influence the witnesses;

(iv)The petitioner shall not be involved in any other crime while on bail.

If any of the above conditions are violated, the jurisdictional court concerned will be empowered to take steps for cancellation of bail, as per law.