CHENNAI: A Special Court (NDPS) on Monday dismissed bail petitions of four persons who were arrested on charges of possessing 50 kilograms of Ketamine Hydrochloride, a psychotropic substance.
M Easwaran (36), M Dilli Basker (48), S Manoharan (22) and D Ganesh (31) were arrested on September 26 on charges of possessing the drug. According to police, on September 26 they received information that two labourers who were working in a small-scale chemical factory in Nazarathpettai, Tiruvallur district fainted after inhaling chemicals used in the factory and died on the way to hospital. Nazarathpettai police inspected the factory, where they found huge quantities of chemicals used to produce Ketamine were stored. Police seized 50 kgs of Ketamine Hydrochloride from the factory and arrested the quartet. An FIR was filed under sections 304 (ii) (culpable homicide) of IPC and 22 (contravention in relation to psychotropic substances) of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS). However, two suspects, who are believed to be the owners, are absconding. On Monday, all the four accused who are presently remanded to judicial custody in Puzhal prison approached the Principal Special Court seeking bail.
The counsel for the accused contended that the two prime suspects in the case are still not arrested by the police. Therefore, as there is lack of substantial evidence, they must be let out on bail, he added.
Opposing the plea, the Special Public Prosecutor argued that the police seized 50 kilograms of the drug, which is a commercial quantity. He further said that the accused cannot be let out on bail, as Section 37 (1) (b) of NDPS Act prohibits bail to those arrested under such a serious charge. Accepting the prosecutor’s contention, Principal Special Judge V Ramamurthy dismissed the bail petitions.