Suthakar v. State By,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 24.02.2021

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE V.BHARATHIDASAN Crl.O.P.No.3292 of 2021 Suthakar ... Petitioner -VsThe State, represented by The Inspector of Police, Keelapalur Police Station, Ariyalur District.

(Crime No.442 of 2020) ... Respondent Prayer: Criminal Original petition filed under Section 438 of Code of Criminal Procedure praying to enlarge the petitioner on Anticipatory bail in the event of his arrest concern in Crime No.442 of 2020 on the file of the Inspector of Police, Keelapalur Police Station, Ariyalur District.

For Petitioner : Mr.C.Prabakaran For Respondent : Mr.S.Karthikeyan Additional Public Prosecutor

O R D E R

(The case has been heard through video conference) The petitioner apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 379 of I.P.C. r/w Section 21(1) of Tamil Nadu Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, in Crime No. 442 of 2020, on the file of the respondent police, and now, he has filed this petition seeking to grant anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that on the date of occurrence, while the Village Administrative Officer of Arungal Village was on patrol, they found that the petitioner said to have transported half unit of sand in his Tractor without having valid license and Government permission. On seeing the police, he has escaped from the scene of occurrence. Hence, the criminal case has been registered against the petitioner.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an innocent person and he is no way connected with the offence. He would submit that he has been falsely implicated as accused in this case. On instruction, he would further submit that without prejudice to his right and contentions, he is 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 petitioner has transported half unit of sand in his tractor sand illegally without having valid license and hence, the respondent police had seized the vehicle. He would submit that there is no previous case pending against the petitioner. However, he opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

5. In order to curb the illegal transportation of graval sand and taking into consideration of the voluntary submission made by the petitioner offering to deposit or to pay considerable amount to any charitable organization or association, this Court is of the opinion that the petitioner may be directed to deposit/pay a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) to the Children Home for Boys Under Surabhi Trust, 22/10, 1st Street, Kumarasamy Nagar, Villivakkam, Chennai-600 049, A/c. No. 0918101041798, IFSC No.CNRB0000918, without prejudice to his right and contention before the trial Court.

6. Merely, because the petitioner has 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 and also considering the fact that there is no previous antecedents against the petitioner, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner subject to the following conditions :- (a) The petitioner is directed to pay a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) either through RTGS/NEFT or in cash in favour of Children Home for Boys Under Surabhi Trust, 22/10, 1st Street, Kumarasamy Nagar, Villivakkam, Chennai-600 049, A/c. No. 0918101041798, IFSC No.CNRB0000918, within fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

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

[b] the petitioner 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 petitioner 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 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 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/- 24/02/2021 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 & SESSIONS JUDGE, ARIYALUR.

2 THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT, MADRAS.

3 THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, KEELAPALUR POLICE STATION, ARIYALUR DISTRICT.

4 CHILDREN HOME FOR BOYS UNDER SURABHI TRUST, 22/10, 1ST STREET, KUMARASAMY NAGAR, VILLIVAKKAM, CHENNAI-600 049, A/C. NO. 0918101041798, IFSC NO.CNRB0000918 +1 CC to M/S.C.PRABAKARAN Advocate on payment of necessary charges SR.No.2351 CRL OP.3292/2021 Date :24/02/2021 cs 04/03/2021