Ganesan @ Devan v. 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 6(4) of Tamil Nadu Schedule Commodities (Regulation of Distribution Through card system) Order 1982 r/w. Section 7(1)(a)ii of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 in Crime No.147/2022, seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner along with other accused persons were involved in illegal transportation of 22 Tons of PDS rice, which is of worth about Rs.1,22,300/- by using a Tauras Lorry bearing Registration No.AP-21-TT-6577. Hence this complaint.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is an innocent person and that a case of PDS rice theft has been fabricated against him. He would further submit that without prejudice to his contentions, the petitioner is prepared to deposit an amount of Rs.10,000/- towards any charitable organization or association.

Therefore, he prays for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

4. Learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent Police would submit that the quantity of PDS rice involved is 22 Tons and the petitioner herein is the owner of the vehicle. Hence, he vehemently opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

5. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) for the respondent and perused the materials available on record.

6. Taking into consideration the facts of the case and the submissions made by the learned Counsel, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner subject to the following conditions;

7. Accordingly, the petitioner is directed to deposit a sum of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand only) to the Registered Advocate Clerks Association, Gudiyatham and on such receipt and receipt of proof of payment, 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 Judicial Magistrate No.IV, Vellore, 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 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 station on every Wednesday at 10.30 a.m., for a period of eight weeks;

(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 T.V.THAMILSELVI, J.

skt 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]; and;

(f)if the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229-A IPC;

27.02.2023 skt