Rajeevgandhi v. The Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 12.06.2020

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE N. ANAND VENKATESH Rajeevgandhi ... Petitioner -vsThe State Rep. by, The Inspector of Police, Thittachery Police Station, Nagapattinam District.

... Respondent PRAYER:- Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 438 Cr.P.C. to grant an anticipatory bail to the petitioner in the event of their arrest in Crime No. 560 of 2020 pending investigation on the file of the Respondent police station. For Petitioner :

Mr. S.K. Syed Eliyas For Respondent :

Mr. M. Mohamed Riyaz Additional Public Prosecutor

O R D E R

The petitioner, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the alleged offence punishable under Section 21 (1) of Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulations) Act 1957, 379 and 430 IPC in Crime No.560 of 2020 on the file of the respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail. 1/5

2.The case of the prosecution is that while conducting a prohibition raid by the respondent police, the petitioner has illegally transported 1⁄2 unit of sand by using a mini lorry without any permit or valid licence and it was seized by the respondent police.

3.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is innocent and he did not commit any offence as alleged by the prosecution and they have been falsely implicated in this case. Hence, he prays to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

4.The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent submitted that the quantity of sand involved is 1⁄2 unit of sand. The learned counsel further submitted that there is no previous case pending against this petitioner. 5.This Court is of the opinion that the petitioner can be directed to deposit a sum of Rs.5,000/- (Rupees five thousand only) as non-refundable deposit to the credit of the Tamil Nadu Advocate Clerks Association, High Court, Madras, without prejudice to his rights and contentions before the trial Court. 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.

6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, this Court is inclined 2/5

to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner with certain conditions. Accordingly, 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.II, Nagapattinam, on condition that the petitioner shall execute a 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 deposit a sum of Rs.5,000/- (Rupees five thousand only) as non refundable deposit to the credit of the the Tamil Nadu Advocate Clerks Association, Madras High Court, Chennai (Indian Bank, High Court Branch, A/c No.484026006, IFSC Code:IDIB000M157).

[b] the petitioner shall report before the respondent police as and when required for interrogation.

[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 3/5

Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005)AIR SCW 5560].

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

12.06.2020 ay Internet: Yes/No To

1. The Inspector of Police, Thittachery Police Station, Nagapattinam District.

2. learned Judicial Magistrate No.II, Nagapattinam.

3. The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court, Chennai - 600 104.

4/5

N. ANAND VENKATESH, J.

ay Dated: 12.06.2020 5/5