Janardhan v. State Rep By,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

Dated : 21.01.2021 CORAM :

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE V. BHARATHIDASAN Crl.O.P.No.687 of 2021

1. Janardhan ... Petitioners

2. Srinivasulu Vs.

The State rep. by ... Respondent Inspector of Police, Kandhikuppam Police Station, Krishnagiri District.

(Crime No.527 of 2020) PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 438 of Criminal Procedure Code to enlarge the petitioners on bail in the event of their arrest in Crime No.527 of 2020 pending on the file of the respondent.

For Petitioners: Mr.E.Kannadasan For Respondent : Mr.S.Karthikeyan Addl. Public Prosecutor

ORDER

(The case has been heard through video conference) The petitioners are arrayed as A1 and A2. They apprehend arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 379 of I.P.C. in Crime No. 527 of 2020, on the file of the respondent police, and now, they have filed this petition seeking to grant anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that while the respondent police was in routine checkup at Achamangalam Road, Burgur Taluk, they found that the petitioners, being driver and owner of a lorry, said to have transported 1 no. of granite stone in a lorry and while conducting the enquiry, they have escaped from the scene of occurrence. In the said circumstances, the criminal case has been registered against the petitioners.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are innocent persons and they are no way connected with the offence. He would submit that the petitioners are the driver and owner of a lorry, they have been

falsely implicated as accused in this case. On instruction, he would further submit that without prejudice to their rights and contentions, they are prepared to deposit/pay some considerable amount to any charitable organization or association and prays for grant of anticipatory bail.

4. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent submitted that the petitioners are the driver and owner of a lorry transported 1 no. of granite stone and and while conducting enquiry, they have escaped from the scene of occurrence. He has further submitted that there is no previous case pending against the petitioners. However, he opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners.

5. In order to curb illegal transportation of granite stone and taking into consideration of voluntary submission made by the petitioners offering to deposit or to pay considerable amount to any charitable organization or association, this Court is of the opinion that the petitioners may be directed to deposit/pay a sum of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand only) to the Tamil Nadu Advocate Clerk Association, High Court Madras, Indian Bank, High Court Branch, A/c.No.484026006 IFSC.No. IDIB000M157, without prejudice to their rights and contentions before the trial Court.

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

7. Taking note of the facts and circumstances and also considering the fact that there is no previous antecedents against the petitioners, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners subject to the following conditions :- (a) The petitioners are directed to pay a sum of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand only) either through RTGS/NEFT or in cash in favour of Tamil Nadu Advocate Clerk Association, High Court Madras, Indian Bank, High Court Branch, A/c.No.484026006 IFSC.No. IDIB000M157, within fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

On such deposit, the petitioners are ordered to be released on bail in the event of their arrest or their appearance before the learned Principal District and Sessions Judge, Krishnagiri, on condition that the petitioners shall execute a separate bond for a sum of Rs.

[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 daily at 10.30 a.m., for a period of two weeks and thereafter 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 abscond, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229A IPC.

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

-sd/- 21/01/2021 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 PRINCIPAL DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE, KRISHNAGIRI.

2 THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT, MADRAS.

3 THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, KANDHIKUPPAM POLICE STATION, KRISHNAGIRI DISTRICT.

4 THE TAMIL NADU ADVOCATE CLERK ASSOCIATION, HIGH COURT MADRAS, INDIAN BANK, HIGH COURT BRANCH, A/C NO.484026006, IFSC CODE:IDIB000M157.

CC to M/S.E.KANNADASAN Advocate on payment of necessary charges CRL OP.687/2021 Date :21/01/2021 MN-03/02/2021