Nagaraj v. The Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 26.05.2021

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE T.V.THAMILSELVI Crl.OP.No.9597 of 2021

1. Nagaraj

2. Selvaraj ... Petitioners Vs.

State rep.by The Inspector of Police Chettipalayam Police Station Coimbatore District (Crime No.173 of 2021) ... Respondent Prayer: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 438 Cr.P.C., praying to enlarge the petitioners on bail in the event of his arrest in Crime No.173 of 2021 on the file of the respondent police.

For Petitioners : Mr.W. Camyles Gandhi For Respondent : Mr.A. Damodaran Government Advocate (Crl. Side)

O R D E R

(This 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 Section 379 of IPC in Crime No.173 of 2021, on the file of the respondent police, seek anticipatory bail.

2. It is the case of the prosecution that the petitioners were found transporting Gravel without permission in the Tipper Lorries bearing Registration No.TN-37-DV-5710 & TN-58-X-2278. Hence the complaint.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners would submit that the petitioners are no way connected in this case and they are only the drivers of the vehicles and they are innocent persons and have been falsely implicated in this case. Hence, he prays to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners.

4. The learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondent would submit that the petitioners were found illegally transporting gravel in the tipper lorries. He further submitted that there is no previous case pending against the petitioners.

5. This Court is of the opinion that each of the petitioners to be directed to deposit a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) as non-refundable deposit to the credit of the District Legal Service Authority, Coimbatore, without prejudice to their rights and contentions before the trial Court. 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.

6. Taking note of the facts and circumstances, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners with certain conditions. Accordingly, each of the petitioners are directed to deposit a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only), as non refundable deposit to the credit of the District Legal Service Authority, Coimbatore, within a period of four weeks from the date of normal funcitioning of the Court below and on such deposit the petitioners are ordered to be released on bail in the event of their arrest or on their appearance before the learned Judicial Magistrate, Madukarai on condition that each of the petitioners 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 petitioners 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] each of the petitioners shall deposit a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees ten thousand only) to the credit of the District Legal Service Authority, Coimbatore and shall produce the said receipt before the Court below.

[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 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 petitioners 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.

-sd/- 26/05/2021 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 JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, MADUKARAI.

2 THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE COIMBATORE [FOR INFORMATION] 3 THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE CHETTIPALAYAM POLICE STATION, COIMBATORE DISTRICT.

4 THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT, MADRAS.

5 THE DISTRICT LEGAL SERVICE AUTHORITY, COIMBATORE.

6 THE SECRETARY, TAMILNADU LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITY, HIGH COURT, MADRAS.

CC to M/S.W.CAMYLES GANDHI Advocate on payment of necessary charges CRL OP.9597/2021 Date :26/05/2021 MK:07/07/2021