P.Shiravan v. State Rep By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 25.01.2022

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE T.V.THAMILSELVI Crl.O.P.No.1554 of 2021 1.P.Shiravan 2.Sujatha ....Petitioners

Versus

1. The State rep by its, The Inspector of Police, Pondy Bazzer Police Station, Chennai District.

2. The State rep by its, The Inspector of Police, Nauchandi Police Station, Meerut, Uttarpradesh.

(C.N.No.6129 of 2019)

...Respondents

PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, to enlarge the petitioner on Inter-state anticipatory bail in the event of their arrest in C.N.No.6129 of 2019 pending on the file of the second respondent police. For Petitioner : Mr.K.Rajendra Prasad For Respondents : Mr.A.Gokulakrishnan Additional Public Prosecutor

O R D E R

The petitioner, who arrayed as accused, apprehend arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Section 420 in C.N.No.6129 of 2019, on the file of the second respondent police, seeks Interstate Interim anticipatory bail.

2. The petitioner filed this petition under Section 438 Cr.P.C, who have been accused of non-bailable offences committed beyond the territorial jurisdiction limit of the State of Tamil Nadu, have approached this Court for Interstate Interim Anticipatory Bail, so as to enable them to approach the appropriate Court.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioners would submit that the petitioners were implicated for the offences under Sections 420 of IPC, on the file of The Inspector of Police, Nauchandi Police Station, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. Further, the allegation is that petitioners are doing business in the name and Style of M/s.SARAVANA STORES GOLD PALACE AND TEXTILES PVT LTD., since in the year 1970. It is alleged that the defacto complainant supplied textile goods worth about 43 lakhs for which the petitioners denied to settle the amount. Hence, he prayed for interstate anticipatory bail.

4. Notice issued to the respondents.

5. Heard the learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the State (R1& R2).

6. The issue as to whether, in respect of the persons who have been accused of a non-bailable offence committed beyond the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Tamil Nadu, if his arrest are sought within the jurisdiction of this Court, irrespective of the fact that they are resident of the place over which this Court can grant anticipatory bail under Section 438 Cr.P.C, came up for consideration before the Division Bench of this Court in the case of S.P.Shanthi Swaroop v. State of Tamil Nadu , rep. By Asst. Commissioner of Police, Central Crime Branch, Madras reported in 1992 L.W.(Crl).475. After elaborate discussions, decisions and considering the ratio laid down by the Patna High Court in Syed Safrul Hassan v.

State has passed the following order:- "For the foregoing reasons, we hold that the High Court or the Court of Session has got power under Section 438 Cr.P.C. To grant anticipatory bail irrespective of the locale of the Commission of the offence. In other words, in respect of persons who have been accused of a non-bailable offence committed beyond the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Tamil Nadu, if their arrest is sought within the jurisdiction of this Court, irrespective of the fact that they are residents of the place over which this Court can grant anticipatory bail.

However, we wish to observe that while granting anticipatory bail, this Court has to restrict the relief for a limited period and to direct the concerned persons to move the Court which is having jurisdiction over the matter in the meantime and also impose such condition so as to make the petitioner available for interrogation by the concerned police in the meantime. The reference is answered accordingly."

7. Thereafter, a learned Single Judge of this Court in the case of P.Thangavelu and others v. State, rep. By the Inspector of Police and other reported in 2017 (2) MWN (Cr.) 633 has passed the following orders,

"9.Thus, it is seen that though in the State of Uttar Pradesh, the provisions of Section 438, Cr.P.C., enabling grant of Anticipatory bail has been deleted, still the Courts have power to grant Inter-State Anticipatory Bail, more particularly taking into account the provisions under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. In the light of the above Judgments and discussions, this Court is of the view that Inter-State Anticipatory Bail can be granted to the petitioner for a limited period to enable them seek appropriate Bail Orders from the concerned Court. 10.Accordingly, Interim Anticipatory Bail is granted to the petitioner herein till 01.08.2016. The petitioner are directed to be enlarged on Bail in the event of their arrest or on their appearance before the Judicial Magistrate concerned, subject to the following conditions:

(i) Each of the Petitioner shall execute a Personal Bond for a sum of Rs.10,000- (Rupees ten thousand only) with two sureties, to the satisfaction of the Respondent-Police or the Police Officer, who intends to arrest or to the satisfaction of the Magistrate concerned; (ii) within the said period, ie., before 01.08.2016, the petitioner shall appear before the concerned Court of Jurisdiction and move for Anticipatory Bail before the said Court.

11. This Court makes it very clear that Inerim Anticipatory Bail pertaining to Inter-State disputes cannot be sought as a matter of right and it is purely the discretion of the Court in granting the same, considering the facts, circumstances and also the nature of offences. It is also made clear that this order, on being produced, shall be punctually observed and executed by all concerned."

8. In view of the decisions cited supra, I am inclined to grant interim interstate anticipatory bail to the petitioners till 22.03.2022. Accordingly, interim interstate anticipatory bail granted to the petitioners till 22.03.2022. The petitioners are directed to be enlarged on bail in the event of arrest or on their appearance before the first respondent police and on further condition that:

(i) the Petitioners shall execute a Personal Bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) with two sureties, to the satisfaction of the Respondent-Police or the Police Officer, who intends to arrest or to the satisfaction of the Magistrate concerned;

(ii) within the said period, i.e., before 22.03.2022 the petitioners shall appear before the concerned Court of Jurisdiction and file an appropriate application for regular bail before the said Court.

-sd/- 25/01/2022 This order, on being produced, be punctually observed and carried into execution by all concerned TRUE COPY Sub-Assistant Registrar (Statistics/C.S.) High Court, Madras - 600 104.

TO 1 THE JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, NO.23, SAIDAPET, CHENNAI 2 THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, PONDY BAZZER POLICE STATION, CHENNAI DISTRICT.

3 THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, NAUCHANDI POLICE STATION, MEERUT, UTTAR PRADESH.

4 THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT, MADRAS.

CC to M/S.K.RAJENDRA PRASAD Advocate on payment of necessary charges Sr.1207 CRL OP.1554/2022 Date :25/01/2022 RVR 01/02/2022