S.Shanmugam v. State Represented By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

Dated : 06.08.2020

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE A. D. JAGADISH CHANDIRA Crl.O.P.No.11237 of 2020

1. S. Shanmugam

2. P. Velu ... Petitioners Vs.

The State Represented by, The Sub-Inspector of Police, Ambalaur Police Station, Vellore District.

Crime No.136 of 2020 ... Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 438 of Criminal Procedure Code to enlarge the petitioners on bail in the event of their arrest concerned in Crime No.136 of 2020 pending on the file of the respondent.

For Petitioners : Mr. N. Sakthivel For Respondent : Mr. M. Mohamed Riyaz Additional Public Prosecutor

O R D E R

(The case has been heard through video conference) The petitioners, who apprehend arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 379 and 430 of IPC, 1860 and read with Section 21(i) of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act 1957, in Crime No.136 of 2020, on the file of the respondent police, seek anticipatory bail.

2. It is the case of the prosecution that the petitioners have transported 1⁄2 unit of river sand illegally by using his Tractor without any valid licence. Hence, the complaint.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners would submit that the petitioners is an innocent persons and they have been falsely implicated in this case. On instruction, he would further submit that taking into consideration the present Covid pandemic situation the petitioners are prepared to donate/pay some considerable amount to any charitable organization or association without prejudice to their defence and prayed for grant of anticipatory bail.

4. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent submitted that the quantity of river sand involved is 1⁄2 unit. He further submitted that the petitioner has no previous case pending against him.

5. In order to curb the illegal sand mining activities and taking into consideration the voluntary submission made by the petitioners offering to donate/pay considerable amount to any charitable organization or association, this Court is of the opinion that the petitioners may be directed to donate/pay a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) to "The Madras High Court Advocate Clerks Welfare Association, Indian Bank, High Court Branch, S.B A/C No.484077244 with IFSC Code - IDIB000M157" without prejudice to his rights and contentions before the trial Court.

6. Merely, because the petitioners have deposited the said amount, it would not amount to admission of their guilt. Therefore, it is open to the trial Court to deal with the case independently.

7. Taking note of the facts and circumstances, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners with certain conditions.

(a) The petitioners are directed to pay a sum of Rs.10,000/- either through RTGS/NEFT or in cash in favour of "The Madras High Court Advocate Clerks Welfare Association, Indian Bank, High Court Branch, S.B A/C No.484077244 with IFSC Code - IDIB000M157" within fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Thereafter, the petitioners are directed to be released on bail in the event of their arrest or their appearance and on production of proof of payment of the above amount and on further condition that the petitioners shall execute a separate bond for a sum of Rs.

10,000/- (Ten thousand only) with two sureties each for the like sum to the satisfaction of the police officer who intends to arrest, failing which the petition for anticipatory bail shall stand dismissed automatically and on further condition that the petitioners shall also give an letter of undertaking before the respondent/police that the said amount has been paid in respect of particular crime number. [b] the petitioners 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 petitioners 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 petitioners shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial.

[e] the petitioners 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 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.

8. With the above directions, this Criminal Original Petition is ordered.

9. For reporting compliance, post on 28.08.2020. -sd/- 06/08/2020 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, VANIYAMBADI, VELLORE DISTRICT.

2 THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT, MADRAS.

3 SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE, AMBALUR POLICE STATION, VELLORE DISTRICT.

4 TAMIL NADU ADVOCATE CLERK ASSOCIATION, MADRAS HIGH COURT, CHENNAI(INDIAN BANK, HIGH COURT BRANCH, A/C NO. 484026006, IFSC CODE:IDIB000M157) CC to M/S. N.SAKTHIVEL Advocate on payment of necessary charges CRL OP.11237/2020 Date :06/08/2020 RVR 18/09/2020