Natarajan v. State Rep.By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED 08.10.2020

CORAM

THE HON'BLE Mr.JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA Natarajan ... Petitioner Vs.

State represented by The Inspector of Police, Vaniyampadi Town Police Station Vellore District.

(Cr.No.2129 of 2020) ... Respondent Prayer: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 438 of Cr.P.C. seeking to enlarge the petitioner on bail in the event of his arrest in Crime No.2129 of 2020 pending investigation on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioner : Mr.E. Kannadasan For Respondent : Mr.M.Mohamed Riyaz.

Additional Public Prosecutor 1/4

O R D E R

(The case has been heard through video conference) The petitioner who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offence punishable under Sections 379, 430 of IPC, r/w 21(1) of Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act 1975 & 3 of TNPPDL Act in Crime No.2129 of 2020 on the file of the respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution as per the defacto complainant is that the petitioner had illegally transported half unit of sand without any permission from the Government. Hence, the complaint. 3.The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. Hence, he prays for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor submitted that the petitioner without obtaining any permission from the Government had illegally 2/4

dugged the land and transported sand, thereby degraded the environment and caused damages to the ecology. Hence he vehemently opposed for the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

5.This court is of the opinion that the offenders despite several orders passed by various benches of this court regarding illegal sand mining and knowing fully well about the evil consequences affecting the environment and society at large and the implications thereon are indulging in the offences of illegal quarrying/mining, theft and smuggling of sand and minerals. These cases come within the category of cases of large magnitude affecting and impacting livelihood of a very large number of people knowingly and unknowingly.

6.This Court finds that the discretionary power has been consciously and continuously misused by the offenders in an organised manner and this Court is of the firm opinion that the discretionary powers cannot be extended to persons indulging in illegal sand mining, smuggling and theft of sand and minerals.

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A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA, J.

smn

7. In view of the order passed by this Court in Crl. OP No.13334 of 2020 etc. Batch, dated 03.09.2020, this Court is not inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition stands dismissed.

08.10.2020 Index : Yes/No Internet : Yes/No smn To 1.The District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Vaniyampadi 2.The Inspector of Police, Vaniyampadi Town Police Station Vellore District.

3.The Public Prosecutor High Court of Madras 4/4