The Madras High Court on Thursday granted an interim stay of the operation of anticipatory bail given to an accused in spurious drugs case.
Justice R. Regupathi ordered notice on a petition filed by the Chennai Police.
In his affidavit, the Inspector of Police, City Crime Branch, prayed the court to set aside an order of the Principal Sessions Judge (PSJ) and cancel the anticipatory bail granted to V. Meenakshisundaram, proprietor, Vasanthameena Enterprises here.
Following a complaint, the police had registered a case for offences under the Copyrights Act and Trademark Act.
During investigation, Meenakshisundaram filed an anticipatory bail petition before the PSJ and it was granted on March 15. Investigation revealed that he was a pharmaceutical distributor and also an authorised dealer for various companies.
The police official alleged that the accused had misused his position and obtained expired drugs and also drugs which had not been supplied to Tamil Nadu.
While granting anticipatory bail, the Judge had ordered the accused to surrender before the XI Metropolitan Magistrate on or before March 25. He had not surrendered.
When the matter came up before Justice Regupathi, the Additional Public Prosecutor, Hasan Mohamed Jinnah, submitted that the respondent was in judicial custody in some other cases and notice had also been served.
In his order, the Judge said in spite of the notice to Meenakshisundaram, when the matter was taken up, there was no representation for the accused. Under such circumstances, there would be an order of interim stay of the operation of the anticipatory bail.
