J.Manikandan v. The State Rep By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 19.07.2021

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI Crl.O.P.No.12450 of 2021 J.Manikandan ... Petitioner Vs.

The State Represent by The Inspector of Police, Arni Taluk Police Station, Thiruvannamalai District.

Crime No.341 of 2021.

... Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original petition has been filed under Section 439 of Cr.P.C, prayed to enlarge the petitioner on bail in connection with the case in Cr.No.341 of 2021 pending investigation on the file of the respondent Police.

For Petitioner : Mr.C.Ravichandran For Respondent : Mr.A.Gopinath Government Advocate (Crl side)

ORDER

The petitioner, who was arrested on 18.05.2021 and remanded to judicial custody for the offences under Section 294(b), 353, 307, 430 and 379 IPC read with Section 21(1) of Mines and Minerals (D&R)Act in Cr.No.341 of 2021, on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner was involved in illegal transportation of half unit of river sand by using Tractor and the same was seized by the respondent Police. 3.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. However, on instructions, he would further submit that the petitioner, without prejudice to his rights, is ready to deposit an amount of Rs.15,000/- to the Mineral Foundation Trust. 4.The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) submitted that the vehicle involved was seized by the respondent police and there is no previous case pending against the petitioner. He further submitted that if the person is caught with illegal sand in the mining area, he

has to be directed to deposit the conditional amount to the credit of Crime number. However, in view of formation of District Mineral Foundation Trust in each District, the amount may be deposited to the credit of the said Trust for rehabilitation in the areas affected by illegal sand mining.

5.In view of the rehabilitation undertaken by the State Government under the Tamil Nadu District Mineral Foundation Rules, 2017, and in order to curb the illegal sand mining activities and also considering the submission made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court is of the opinion that the petitioner shall be directed to make a non refundable deposit of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Thousand only) to the credit of the concerned District Mineral Foundation Trust, without prejudice to his rights and contentions. The amount so deposited shall be utilised by the Trust for rehabilitation works.

6.It is made clear that the deposit of the amount by the petitioner to the Trust would not amount to admission of guilt. The trial Court shall deal with the case independently on merits without reference to the amount deposited.

7. Considering the facts of period of incarceration suffered by the petitioner and also the present COVID-19 pandemic situation and there is no previous case pending against the petitioner, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner subject to the following conditions:

(a)the petitioner shall make a non refundable deposit of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees FifteenThousand only) through demand draft to the credit of the Chairman/District Collector, District Mineral Foundation Trust of the concerned District, without prejudice to their defence before the trial Court and the learned Judicial Magistrate, after perusing the challan/ receipt, shall accept the sureties furnished by the petitioner;

(b) the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) before the Superintendent, Central Prison, Vellore, in which the petitioner is confined and on such execution the petitioner shall be released from prison; (c) Within a period of four weeks after the release, the petitioner shall execute a bond for Rs.10,000/-(Rupees Ten Thousand only) each with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Principal Sessions Court, Thiruvannamalai; (d) In case of any difficulty in executing the said bond along with the sureties before the concerned Magistrate within the time stipulated above, the petitioner is permitted to file appropriate petition within a period of four week therefrom before the concerned

Magistrate for extension of time for executing the bond along with sureties and if any such application is filed, the concerned Magistrate shall decide on the grant of extension of time for accepting the bond and sureties in accordance with law. Failing filing of any such application within the time prescribed above, the bail granted by this Court would stand automatically vacated. (e)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; (f)the petitioner shall report before the respondent police, daily at 10.30 a.m. until further orders;

(g)the petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial;

(h)the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial;

(i)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; (j)if the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229-A IPC.

-sd/- 19/07/2021 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 PRINCIPAL SESSIONS COURT, THIRUVANNAMALAI 2 THE CHAIRMAN/DISTRICT COLLECTOR, DISTRICT MINERAL FOUNDATION TRUST, THIRUVANNAMALAI

3 THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, ARNI TALUK POLICE STATION, THIRUVANNAMALAI.

4 THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT, MADRAS.

5 THE SUPERINTENDENT, CENTRAL PRISON, VELLORE CC to M/S.C.RAVICHANDRAN Advocate on payment of necessary charges Sr.7526 CRL OP.12450/2021 Date :19/07/2021 RVR 20/07/2021