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IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. OF 2026

(Arising out of SLP(Crl.) No. 21128 of 2025)

M MURUGAN & ORS. Appellant(s)

VERSUS

STATE REPRESENTED

BY THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE Respondent(s)

O R D E R

1. Leave granted.

2. Heard the learned counsel for the parties.

3. This appeal impugns an order of the High

Court of Judicature at Madras, dated

28.11.2025, whereby the regular bail prayer of

the appellant in connection with FIR No. 30 of

2025, dated 20.01.2025, registered at P.S.

Thirupattur, District-Thirupattur, has been

rejected.

4. The prosecution case qua the appellants is

with regard to carrying ganja weighing 20.600

Signature Not Verified

Digitally signed by

DEEPAK SINGH

Date: 2026.02.27 kgs. in the boot of a vehicle, driven by

17:01:54 IST

Reason:

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appellant No.1. The case of the appellants is

that the allegations regarding recovery are

false; even if the allegations are accepted,

the recovered quantity may be below the

commercial quantity but deliberately shown

marginally above the threshold of commercial

quantity. Besides, the appellants have

already been in jail for a period exceeding one

year and the trial is nowhere near conclusion.

5. The learned counsel for the State has

opposed the prayer for bail by submitting that

the appellants have criminal antecedents of

similar nature. Details of those cases have

been given in the counter affidavit.

6. Having regard to the nature of the

allegations and the fact that the vehicle was

driven by appellant No.1 and two out of five

accused are ladies, without expressing opinion

on the merits of the prosecution case, we are

of the view that the appellant Nos.2 to 5 are

entitled to be released on bail.

7. As far as appellant No.1 is concerned, his

bail prayer is rejected at this stage.

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8. Consequently, the appeal is partly

allowed. The order passed by the High Court

rejecting the bail prayer of appellant Nos.2 to

5 is set aside.

9. Appellant Nos.2 to 5 shall be released on

bail on such terms and conditions as the trial

court may deem fit to impose in the facts and

circumstances of the case.

10. Pending application(s), if any, shall

stand disposed of.

……………………………………………….J

[MANOJ MISRA]

………………………………………………….J

[MANMOHAN]

New Delhi;

February 27, 2026

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ITEM NO.2 COURT NO.14 SECTION II-C

S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

Petition(s) for Special Leave to Appeal (Crl.) No(s). 21128/2025

[Arising out of impugned final judgment and order dated 28-11-2025

in CRLOP No. 25196/2025 passed by the High Court of Judicature at

Madras]

M MURUGAN & ORS. Petitioner(s)

VERSUS

STATE REPRESENTED BY THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE Respondent(s)

(IA No. 334831/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED

JUDGMENT, IA No. 334828/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T. AND IA

No. 334830/2025 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL

DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES)

Date : 27-02-2026 This matter was called on for hearing today.

CORAM :

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MANOJ MISRA

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MANMOHAN

For Petitioner(s) :

Mr. S. Mahendran, AOR

Mr. Heera Singh, Adv.

For Respondent(s) :

Mr. Sabarish Subramanian, AOR

UPON hearing the counsel the Court made the following

O R D E R

1. Leave granted.

2. The appeal is partly allowed in terms of the signed order.

3. Pending application(s), if any, shall also stand disposed of.

(DEEPAK SINGH) (NIKITA SINGH)

ASTT. REGISTRAR-cum-PS COURT MASTER (NSH)

[Signed order is placed on the file]

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