ANI Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In this Petition filed under Sec. 438 Cr.P.C. the petitioner, who is the accused in C.R.No.8/07 of Aryanad Excise Range for offences punishable under sections 8(1), 8(2), 65 and 67 of the Abkari Act for allegedly having been found in possession of 35 litres of arrack on 22.4.07, seeks anticipatory Bail.

(2.) The learned Public Prosecutor opposed the application.

(3.) Anticipatory bail cannot be granted in a case involving such grave offence. It is too early to accept the petitioner's contention that the petitioner has been falsely implicated. There is no reason why the petitioner should not surrender before the magistrate concerned and seek regular bail. Accordingly, if the petitioner surrenders before the Magistrate concerned within two weeks from today and files an application for regular bail, the same shall be considered and disposed of, preferably on the same day on which it is filed, bearing in mind the decision in Sukumari Vs. State of Kerala [2001 (1) KLT 22]. This application is disposed of as above.