Regular bail in pan masala cess investigation granted with bond, sureties, weekly appearance, and statutory compliance conditions.

Regular bail was considered in an investigation into alleged clandestine manufacture and clearance of pan masala without registration and payment of cess. The notes state that the alleged offences carried imprisonment of less than five years, the petitioner had remained in custody while investigation was pending, and no custody petition had been filed. On those stated circumstances, regular bail was granted subject to execution of bond and sureties, weekly appearance before the investigating officer for the stipulated period or until filing of the charge sheet, and compliance with applicable statutory bail conditions.

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Issues: Whether the petitioner should be granted regular bail pending investigation into alleged clandestine manufacture and clearance of pan masala without registration and payment of cess.

Analysis: The alleged offences were punishable with imprisonment of less than five years. The petitioner had remained in custody since 18.06.2026; investigation was still pending, but no custody petition had been filed. These circumstances warranted release on bail subject to stringent safeguards for investigation and compliance with statutory bail conditions.

Conclusion: Regular bail was granted to the petitioner, subject to execution of bond and sureties, weekly appearance before the investigating officer for the stipulated period or until filing of the charge sheet, and compliance with applicable bail conditions.

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