Muthuramalingam v. The State Represented By

A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA , J.

The petitioner, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 6(4) of TNSC (RDCS) order 1982 r/w. Section 7(1)(a)(ii) of Essential Commodities Act 1955 in Crime No.70 of 2023, on the file of the respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner was found to be illegally transporting 2000 Kgs of PDS rice and on seeing the respondent police, he ran away leaving the vehicle and rice bags. Hence the complaint.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is an innocent person and he has been falsely implicated in this case. However, he would also submit that without prejudice, the petitioner is prepared to deposit a sum of Rs.66,000/- to any welfare scheme of the Government and he prays to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.side) appearing for the respondent would submit that the petitioner was found to be illegally transporting 2000 Kgs of PDS rice. Hence, he opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

5. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record.

6. In order to curb the illegal activities of transporting PDS rice, the petitioner undertakes to deposit a sum of Rs.66,000/- (Rupees Sixty Six Thousand only) as non-refundable deposit to "The District Revenue Officer, Chennai District" without prejudice to his rights and contentions before the trial Court. However, it is made clear that merely, because the petitioner deposits 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.

7. Taking into consideration the facts and the submissions of both sides, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner with certain conditions.

8. Accordingly, the petitioner shall deposit a sum of Rs.66,000/- (Rupees Sixty Six Thousand only) by way of Demand Draft/RTGS/NEFT as a non-refundable deposit to the credit of "District Revenue Officer, Chennai District" without prejudice to his rights and contentions before the trail Court, on such deposit and production of proof, 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-I, Thiruvallur, on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five 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.66,000/- (Rupees Sixty Six Thousand only) as a non-refundable deposit to the credit of District Revenue Officer, Chennai District and the receipt of the same shall be produced before the concerned learned Magistrate at the time of execution of bond.

[c] Merely, because the petitioner deposits 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. [d] the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m., until further orders.

[e] the petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial;

[f] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial;

[g] 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]; and;

[h] if the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229-A IPC.

28.04.2023 mpa

A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA , J.

mpa 28.04.2023