SUGATHAN MRITHUNJAYA PANICKAR Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) PETITIONER who is the accused in Cr.No.56/06 of Thiruvananthapuram Excise Range for offences punishable under sections 8(1) and 8(2) of the Abkari Act for allegedly having been found in possession of one litre of arrack on 24.11.2006 and who was arrested on the same day, seeks his enlargement on bail.

(2.) EVEN though the learned Public Prosecutor opposed the application submitting, inter alia, that the petitioner is an accused in three other crimes, he fairly conceded that no final report has been filed even after 60 days of detention of the petitioner. If so, by virtue of the proviso to section 167(2) Cr.P.C., the petitioner is entitled to bail as of right. Accordingly, the petitioner is directed to be released on bail on his executing a bond for Rs.20,000/- (Rupees twenty thousand only) with two solvent sureties each for the like amount to the satisfaction of the J.F.C.M.-III, Neyyattinkara and subject to the following conditions: