Praveenkumar v. State Rep By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 30.06.2020

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN Crl.R.C.No.547 of 2020 Praveenkumar, aged about 28 years, S/o.Shanmugam, No.32, Main Road, Kedarankondan, Tharangambadi Taluk, Nagapattinam District.

... Petitioner Vs.

State represented by, The Inspector of Police, Sembanarkovil Police Station, Nagapattinam District.

(Crime No.85 of 2020) ... Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Revision Petition has been filed under Section 397 r/w 401 Cr.P.C to call for the records in Cr.M.P.No.1373 of 2020 on the file of the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Nagapattinam dated 15.06.2020 and set aside the same subsequently grant interim custody of vehicle Mini Load Van bearing Registration No.TN 68 X 3262.

For Petitioner :

Mr.N.Chinnaraj For Respondent :

Mr.M.Mohamed Riyaz Additional Public Prosecutor

O R D E R

This Criminal Revision Petition has been filed against the dismissal order dated 15.06.2020 passed by the learned District and Sessions Judge, Nagapattinam, in Cr.M.P.No.1373 of 2020, filed by the petitioner seeking for return of Mini Load Van. 2.

The case of the prosecution is that the said Mini Load Van was involved in illegal transport one unit of river sand. 3.

The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the confiscation proceedings has not commenced and now the Mini Load Van is exposed to rain and shine and if the Mini Load Van

is kept in the police station continuously, it will lose all its worth. The learned counsel further submitted that any stringent conditions can be imposed by this Court and the petitioner will comply with the said conditions.

4.

Per contra, Mr.M.Mohamed Riyaz, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the respondent submitted that if the Mini Load Van is released, the petitioner will once again involve in the illegal transportation of sand. He concluded his arguments by submitting that even though confiscation proceedings have not been commenced, this Court has to take a very stringent stand, when it comes to release of the vehicle involved in sand theft, which has a direct impact in the natural resources.

5.

Heard Mr.N.Chinnaraj, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Mr.M.Mohamed Riyaz, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent. This Court has carefully considered the submissions made on either side and the orders passed by the Court below.

6.

According to the petitioner, the Mini Load Van now exposed to the open sky in the police station and it will become worthless over a period of time. Admittedly, the confiscation proceedings have not commenced. The petitioner also undertakes that he will not involve in any illegal activity in future and that any stringent conditions can be imposed by this Court. 7.

Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, the order passed by the Court below in Cr.M.P.No.1373 of 2020, dated 15.06.2020 is hereby set aside and this Criminal Revision Petition is allowed with the following conditions:

(i) The petitioner shall file an affidavit before the Court below that the Mini Load Van will not be used for the illegal transportation of sand in future.

(ii) The petitioner shall deposit the original RC book before the Court below and the Court below shall certify the deposit of the original RC book in the Court and such certificate can be produced by the petitioner if and when he is asked to produce the RC book by the police during any interception.

(iii) The petitioner shall deposit a sum of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand Only) to the District Minerals Foundation Trust and shall produce the said receipt before the Court below.

(iv) The petitioner shall produce the vehicle, as and when required before the Court below.

This order is passed without prejudice to the rights of the respondent to initiate confiscation proceedings against the petitioner.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar //True copy// Sub Assistant Registrar kv To

1. The Principal District and Sessions Judge, Nagapattinam.

2. The Inspector of Police, Sembanarkovil Police Station, Nagapattinam District.

3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

Crl.R.C.No.547 of 2020 RLD(CO) GMY(27/07/2020)