Govindhan v. The State Rep.By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 27.01.2022

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE T.V.THAMILSELVI CRL.O.P.No.1487 of 2022 Govindhan ... Petitioner

Versus

The State represented by The Forester, Mandaparai Zone, Nadanur Forest Range, Tiruvannamalai Forest Division.

(Crime No.359 of 2020) ... Respondent Prayer:- Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in the event of his arrest in Crime No.359 of 2020 pending on the file of the respondent police.

For Petitioner :

Mr.B.Jawahar For Respondent :

Mr.A.Gokulakrishnan, Additional Public Prosecutor

O R D E R

The petitioner, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the alleged offences under Sections 21(b), (d), (e), (f), (g) and 50(d) of Tamilnadu Forest Act, 1882 in Crime No.359 of 2020, seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that on 07.10.2020 the respondent and its party men, conducted a regular watch on their forest range, while so they found that the trees and other plants in the Mandaparai Forest Range was unearthed and removed by the petitioner in an extent of 1.5 acres in order to convert the forest into Agricultural land there by committed the above said offence. Hence this complaint.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution and he has been falsely implicated in this case. Hence, he prays for grant of anticipatory bail.

4. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent submitted that the petitioner unearthed and removed the

trees and other plants in Mandaparai Forest range. However, he vehemently opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

5. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner with certain conditions.

6. Accordingly, the petitioner is directed to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on his appearance, within a period of fifteen (15) days after lifting of lockdown or the commencement of the Court's normal functioning whichever is earlier, before the learned Judicial Magistrate, Polur, on condition that the petitioner shall execute a 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 is directed to deposit a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) to the credit of the Registered Advocate Clerk Association, Tiruvannamalai District within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and shall produce the said receipt before the Court below. [b] 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.

[c] the petitioner is directed to report before the respondent police on every Saturday at 10.30 a.m., until further orders and file affidavit before the Trial Court, in future he will not occupy any forest lands;

[d] the petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial.

[e] the petitioner 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 petitioner in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioner released on anticipatory 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.

-sd/- 27/01/2022 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, POLUR 2 THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE TIRUANNAMALAI(FOR INFORMATION) 3 THE FORESTER, MANDAPARAI ZONE, NADANUR FOREST RANGE, TIRUVANNAMALAI FOREST DIVISION 4 THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT, MADRAS.

5 THE REGISTERED ADVOCATE CLERK ASSOCIATION, TIRUVANNAMALAI DISTRICT.

CC to M/S.B.JAWAHAR Advocate on payment of necessary charges Sr.1289 CRL OP.1487/2022 Date :27/01/2022 RVR 01/02/2022