PRASAD SREEDHARAN Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) PETITIONER who is the second accused in Crime No.253/05 of Haripad Police Station for offences punishable under sections 8(1) and 8(2) of the Abkari Act for allegedly having been found in joint possession along with the first accused 10 litres of illicit arrack on 15.5.2005, seeks anticipatory bail.

(2.) ADMITTEDLY, consequent on the non-appearance of the petitioner before the committal court, viz; J.F.C.M.-I, Haripad, in C.P.No.133/06, non-bailable warrant of arrest is pending against the petitioner. Anticipatory bail cannot be granted to nullify the process issued by a court of competent jurisdiction, There is no reason why the petitioner should not surrender before the committal court and seek regular bail. Accordingly, if the petitioner surrenders before the committal court and files an application for regular bail, within two weeks from today, the same shall be considered and disposed of, preferably on the same date on which it is filed after considering the submission made on behalf of the petitioner that in appropriate cases, the Magistrate has power to grant bail in the light of the decision reported in Sukumari v.State of Kerala (2001(1) KLT 22).