MAHDOON @ SHIBU Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This application for regular bail has been filed by the sole accused in Crime No. 98 of 2021 of Pathanapuram Excise Range, Kollam District registered for the offences punishable under Sections 8(1), 8(2) and 55(g) of the Kerala Abkari Act.

(2.) The prosecution allegation is that on 01.06.2021 at about 11.45 a.m., on getting information that the petitioner has concealed illicit arrack and spirit for distillation of illicit arrack at his residence, the excise officials proceeded to the residence of the petitioner and seized 20 litres of illicit arrack and 1545 litres of wash and thereby the case has been registered against him.

(3.) The petitioner was arrested on 01.06.2021 and on 05.06.2021 itself he was granted interim bail by the jail authorities owing to the pandemic situation of the country without any direction to return to jail. So, only for a few days he had to remain in judicial custody.