CRL OP/8939/2026 of N.Palanirajan Vs The State be The Inspector of Police,
CRL OP No. 8939 of 2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 09-04-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN
CRL OP No. 8939 of 2026
N.Palanirajan
..Petitioner(s)
Vs
The State by
The Inspector of Police,
PEW Police Station,
Thiruvannamalai.
Crime No. 56/2026.
..Respondent(s)
Criminal Original Petition has been filed under Section 482 of the
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, to enlarge the Petitione r on
bail in the event of his arrest in respect of Crime No.56 of 2026 on the file of
the Inspector of Police, PEW Police Station, Thiruvannamalai, pending
investigation and thus render justice.
For Petitioner(s): Mr.K.Mohanraj
For Respondent(s): Mr.P.Dhileepan
Government Advocate
(Criminal Side)
ORDER
The petitioner, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent
police for offences punishable under Sections 4(1)(i) and 4(1)(A) of the T amil
Nadu Prohibition Act, 1937, as amended by the Tamil Nadu Prohibition
(Amendment) Act, 2024, in Crime No. 56 of 2026 on the file of the r espondent
police, seeks anticipatory bail.
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CRL OP No. 8939 of 2026
2. The case of the prosecution is that on the day of the alleged occurrence,
acting on specific intelligence regarding the illegal selling of liquor, the
respondent police conducted an inspection. During the course of the operation,
the petitioner was found to be in illegal possession of 150 bottles of li quor.
Hence, the case.
3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is in no
way connected to this case and has been falsely implicated. He further
submitted that the petitioner has not committed any offence as alleged by the
prosecution. Hence, he prays to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.
4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the
respondent police, while reiterating the prosecution case, strongly opposed t he
grant of anticipatory bail. He submitted that the petitioner was found
transporting and selling liquor bottles which was found by the respondent police
and that the investigation is still pending. He further contended that if the
petitioner is released on anticipatory bail, there is a high li kelihood that he may
abscond or continue to commit similar offences in the future, thereby hindering
the investigation.
5. Considering the fact that the case involves a prohibition offence, which
has serious ramifications and a detrimental impact on society, and taking into
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CRL OP No. 8939 of 2026
account that the seizure of a substantial quantity of 150 liquor bottles suggest s
involvement in organised illegal trade rather than mere possession for pe rsonal
consumption, this Court finds it necessary to unearth the network behind suc h
illegal transportation. Accordingly, this Court is of the opinion that cust odial
interrogation is necessary for an effective investigation. Consequently, this
Court is not inclined to grant anticipatory bail at this stage.
6. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is dismissed.
09-04-2026
Index: Yes/No
Speaking/Non-speaking order
Neutral Citation: Yes/No
Jeni
To
1.The Judicial Magistrate-I, Tiruvannamlai.
2.The Inspector of Police, PEW Police Station, Thiruvannamalai.
3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras, Chennai.
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CRL OP No. 8939 of 2026
C.KUMARAPPAN, J.
Jeni
CRL OP No. 8939 of 2026
09-04-2026
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