~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Petition under Section 438 Cr.P.C. 2. Petitioners are accused Nos.1 and 2 in C.R. No.18/2014 of Perinthalmanna Excise Range, Malappuram district, registered for the offences punishable under Sections 57(a) and 56(b) of the Abkari Act.
3. When three samples of toddy taken from the toddy shop of the petitioners were subjected to chemical analysis, it was found that samples marked as 'S', 'S1' and 'S2' contained 8.68%, 8.92% and 8.81% respectively by volume of Ethyl Alcohol as against the permissible quantity of 8.1% by volume fixed as per Rule 9(2) of the Kerala Abkari Shops Disposal Rules, 2002.
4. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned Public Prosecutor.
5. It has come out that any noxious substance was not traced out in the samples of toddy collected from the shop. There is a minor variation of the percentage of Ethyl Alcohol. It seems that the permissible quantity is 8.1% by volume, whereas the quantity traced out in the samples is 8.68%, 8.92% and 8.81% respectively by volume. It seems that the constitutional validity of Rule 9(2) of the Kerala Abkari Shops Disposal Rules, 2002 is in question before the Apex court and the question has not been decided. By considering the variation as a minor variation and in the absence of any noxious substance in the samples, I am of the view that this is a fit case wherein anticipatory bail can be granted to the petitioners.
6. In the result, this bail application is allowed and the investigating officer or such other police officer, who is conducting the arrest of the petitioners, is directed to enlarge the petitioners on bail in the event of their arrest on each of them executing a bond for `1,00,000/- (Rupees one lakh only) with two solvent sureties each for the like sum to the satisfaction of the officer conducting arrest, and subject to the following terms and conditions:-
(i) The petitioners shall report before the investigating officer in between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on all Fridays and Tuesdays, commencing from 12.12.2014 for a period of three months or till the filing of the final report in this case, whichever is earlier.
(ii) The petitioners shall not tamper with the evidence or influence witnesses.
(iii) The petitioners shall make themselves available for interrogation as and when required by the investigating officer.
(iv) The petitioners shall not involve in any offence while on bail.
It is made clear that the violation of any of the conditions stipulated above will result in the cancellation of bail.
Sd/-
(B.KEMAL PASHA, JUDGE) aks/09/12 // True Copy // PA to Judge