Thirumaran v. The State Rep By Its,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 16.05.2024
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE R.SAKTHIVEL
1. Thirumaran @ Manikandan S/o. Ramachandran
2. Manikandan S/o. Mathanvel
...Petitioners/4th and 5th accused
Vs.
The State represented by The Inspector of Police, Vaipoor Police Station Vaipoor District.
(Crime No.62 of 2024)
...Respondent/Complainant
PRAYER:
Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 438 of Cr.P.C., 1973 (Act No.2 of 1974), praying to grant an order of pre-arrest bail to the petitioners in Crime No.62 of 2024 on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioners : Mr.Jawahar Jayaraman For Respondent : Mr.C.E.Pratap Government Advocate (Crl. Side) 1/8
ORDER
This Criminal Original Petition has been filed by the petitioners on 13.05.2024 under Section 438 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (Act No.2 of 1974) praying to grant an order of pre-arrest bail. 2.The petitioners/4th and 5th accused, apprehend arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 379 and 430 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Act No.45 of 1860) and Section 21(1) Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act in Crime No.62 of 2024 on the file of the respondent police.
3.The case of the prosecution is that on 07.05.2024, when the respondent police were patrolling to prevent the theft of river sand, the police found that the Accused 1 to 3 have illegally excavated and transported three units of vandal sand in tipper lorries bearing registration Nos.TN 50 J 6769, TN 20 BX 1616 without any valid permission. Accused 1 to 3 are the drivers and cleaner of the said 2/8
vehicles. Hence the case.
4.The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners have not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution; and that the respondent-police registered the case only for statistical purpose. The first petitioner herein is the owner of the said vehicle and the second petitioner is his Manager. He further submitted that the petitioners have permanent residence and deep roots in the Society and that they are ready to obey the conditions if any imposed by this Court. Accordingly, he prayed to grant an order of pre-arrest bail to the petitioners.
5.The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police submitted that the petitioners excavated and transported 3 units of vandal sand in tipper lorries; and that the petitioners have no previous case similar to that of this case. Accordingly, he prayed to dismiss this Criminal Original Petition. 3/8
6.Heard on both sides. This Court has perused the records.
7. Prosecution's case is that the petitioner illegally excavated and transported 3 units of vandal sand in in tipper lorries bearing registration Nos.TN 50 J 6769, TN 20 BX 1616 without any valid license or permit. The 1st petitioner / A4 is the owner of the vehicles while the 2nd petitioner/ A5 is his manager.
8. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the nature of the offence, the quantity of vandal sand allegedly excavated and transported by the petitioners and the fact that the petitioners have deep roots in the society due to which there is less probability of absconding and the fact that there are no previous cases against the petitioners and also with a view to give an opportunity to the petitioners to reform themselves, this Court grants an order of pre-arrest bail to the petitioners subject to the following conditions:
(i) The petitioners shall be released on bail in the event of their arrest or in the event of their surrender before the learned Judicial 4/8
Magistrate, Thiruvarur, within a period of 15 days from today, on executing a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees twenty five Thousand only) each, with two sureties each for a like sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Thiruvarur;
(ii) The petitioners shall appear and sign before respondent Police, daily at 10.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m., until further orders. (iii) The sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the Application for Suretyship [Judicial Form No.46 annexed to 'The Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019']. The learned Judicial Magistrate shall obtain a copy of any one of identity proofs to ensure their identity;
(iv) The petitioners shall make themselves available for interrogation by police as and when required; (v) The petitioners shall not, directly or indirectly, make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer;
(vii) On breach of any of the aforementioned conditions, the learned Judicial Magistrate/Trial Judge is entitled to pass appropriate orders against the petitioners in accordance with law as if the aforementioned conditions are imposed by themselves as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji Vs. State of Kerala [(2005) 13 SCC 283].
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8. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is allowed subject to the conditions stated supra.
16.05.2024 Index : Yes/No Internet : Yes/No Speaking order / Non-speaking order dna/rsi Note:-
1. Registry is directed to forthwith upload this order in the official website of this Court.
2. All concerned to act on this order being uploaded in official website of this Court without insisting on certified hard copies. To be noted, this order when uploaded in official website of this Court will be watermarked and will also have a QR code.
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To
1. The Judicial Magistrate, Thiruvarur.
2. The Inspector of Police, Vaipoor Police Station Vaipoor District.
3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.
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R.SAKTHIVEL.
J., dna/rsi 16.05.2024 8/8