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Madras High CourtCRL OP/794/2021granted

Mani @ Manimaran v. The State Rep.By

2021-01-22Honourable Mr Justice V. Bharathidasan4 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 22.01.2021

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE V.BHARATHIDASAN Crl.O.P.No.794 of 2021 1.Mani @ Manimaran 2.Dinesh 3.Ashokan @ Periasamy 4.Sasikanth 5.Senthilkumar @ Kandasamy 6.Ramakrishnan ... Petitioners/Accused - 1 to 6 -VsState rep by, Inspector of Police, Veeraganur Police Station, Salem.

(Crime No.234 of 2020) ... Respondent/Complainant Prayer: Criminal Original petition filed under Section 438 of Code of Criminal Procedure praying to enlarge the Petitioners on bail in the event of their arrest in Crime No.234 of 2020 on the file of the respondent police.

For Petitioners : M/s.M.R.Pranklin For Respondent : Mr.S.Karthikeyan Additional Public Prosecutor

ORDER

(Heard through video conference) The petitioners, who apprehend arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 21(1) of Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957 and r/w Section 379 of IPC in Crime No.234 of 2020, on the file of the respondent police, seek anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioners have transported one unit of river sand illegally by using the Tipper Lorries without any valid licence. Hence, the complaint.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners would submit that the petitioners are innocent and they have been falsely implicated in this case. On instruction, he would further submit that the petitioners are prepared to deposit some considerable amount to any charitable organization or association without prejudice to his contention and prayed for grant of anticipatory bail.

4. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent submitted that the petitioners transported one unit of river sand without valid permit. He further submitted that there are no previous cases pending against the petitioners.

5. It is seen that there are no previous cases pending against the petitioners and in order to curb the illegal sand mining activities, this Court is of the opinion that the petitioners are directed to deposit a sum of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Thousand Only) each as non refundable deposit to 'The Tamil Nadu Advocate Clerk Association, Indian Bank High Court Branch', A/C.No.484026006, IFSC Code. No. IDIB000M157 without prejudice to his rights and contentions before the trial Court.

6. Merely, because the petitioners have deposited the said amount, it would not amount to admission of his guilt. Therefore, it is open to the trial Court to deal with the case independently.

7. Taking note of the facts and circumstances, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners with certain conditions.

(a) each of the petitioner is directed to deposit a sum of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Thousand Only) as non-refundable deposit either through RTGS/NEFT or in cash in favour of ' 'The Tamil Nadu Advocate Clerk Association, Indian Bank High Court Branch', A/C.No.484026006, IFSC Code. No. IDIB000M157, and on such payment and production of proof of deposit of the above amount, they shall be released on bail in the event of arrest or on their appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date on which the order copy made ready, before the learned Judicial Magistrate No.I, Attur, on condition that the petitioners shall execute a separate bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand Only) with two sureties each for the like sum to the satisfaction of the police officer who intends to arrest, failing which the petition for anticipatory bail shall stand dismissed automatically and on further condition that:

[b] the petitioners and the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the surety bond and the respondent/police may obtain a copy of their Aadhar card or Bank pass Book to ensure their identity.

[c] the petitioners shall report before the respondent police as and when required for the interrogation. [d] the petitioners shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial. [e] the petitioners shall not abscond either during investigation or trial.

[f] On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate action against the petitioners in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioners released on bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005)AIR SCW 5560].

[g] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229A IPC.

8. With the above directions, this Criminal Original Petition is ordered.

-sd/- 22/01/2021 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.I, ATTUR.

2 THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE SALEM [FOR INFORMATION] 3 THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT, MADRAS.

4 THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, VEERAGANUR POLICE STATION, SALEM.

5 THE TAMIL NADU ADVOCATE CLERK ASSOCIATION, INDIAN BANK HIGH COURT BRANCH, A/C.NO.484026006, IFSC CODE. NO. IDIB000M157, CC to M/S.M.R.FRANKLIN Advocate on payment of necessary charges CRL OP.794/2021 Date :22/01/2021 MK:08/02/2021