Manigandan @ Manivannan v. The State Rep By

T.V.THAMILSELVI,J.

The petitioner who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Sections 35, 36 A&B, 41, 5(ii) of Tamil Nadu Forest Act V Act & Under Sections 2 and 3(ii) of Schedule Timber Rules and Under Sections 2, 3 and 5 of TN Patta Sandal Wood Rules in STOR.No.8 of 2022, seeks anticipatory bail. 2.The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner along with other accused was found in illegal possession of 5 pieces of sandalwood. Hence the complaint.

3.The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is an innocent person and he is no way connected with the alleged offence. He would also submit that without prejudice, the petitioner is prepared to deposit an amount of Rs.20,000/- as nonrefundable deposit to any welfare scheme of the Government and he is prepared to abide by any stringent conditions that may be imposed by this Court and hence, he prays for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

4.The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) for the respondent Police would submit that the petitioner along with other accused was found in illegal possession of 5 pieces of sandalwood. He would further submit that there is no previous case pending against the petitioner. Hence, he vehemently opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 5.Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner as well as the learned Government Advocate and perused the entire materials available on record including the First Information Report. 6.Taking into consideration the facts of the case and the submissions made by the learned counsel and also taking note of the fact that the petitioner has prepared to deposit Rs.20,000/- to any welfare scheme of the Government, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner with certain conditions.

7. Accordingly, the petitioner is directed to deposit a sum of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand only) by way of Demand Draft/RTGS/NEFT to "Little Hearts Mentally Ill Home,

Kadappakkam, Kancheepuram, Cell No.9940617712", without prejudice to his rights and contentions before the trial Court, on such deposit and production of proof, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on his appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date on which the order copy made ready, before the learned Special Judicial Magistrate, Sandalwood Court, Tirupatur, on condition that the petitioner shall execute separate bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the respondent police or the police officer who intends to arrest or to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate concerned, failing which, the petition for anticipatory bail shall stand dismissed and on further condition that:

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

[b] the petitioner shall report before the respondent Police on alternative days at 10.30 a.m., until further orders. [c] the petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial.

[d] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial.

[e] On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate action against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioner 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].

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

23.01.2023 vkr T.V.THAMILSELVI,J.

vkr 23.01.2023