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Madras High CourtCRL OP/17751/2022granted

Sasikumar v. State Rep By

2022-07-28Honourable Mr Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan5 pages

G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J.

The petitioners, who apprehend arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the alleged offence punishable under Section 379 of IPC in Crime No.1484 of 2020, on the file of the respondent police, seek anticipatory bail.

2. It is the case of the prosecution that the petitioners are alleged to have transported one unit of river sand illegally. Hence, the complaint.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners would submit that the petitioners are an innocent persons and they have been falsely implicated in this case. Hence, he prays for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent submitted that the quantity of river sand involved is one unit. He further submitted that A1 is driver and A2 is owner of the vehicle. However, he vehemently opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

5. In view of the rehabilitation undertaken under the Tamil Nadu District Mineral Foundation Rules, 2017, and in order to curb the illegal sand mining activities, this Court is of the opinion that the petitioners are directed to jointly deposit a sum of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Thousand only) as non refundable deposit to the credit of the concerned District Mineral Foundation Trust, without prejudice to his rights and contentions before the trial Court. 6.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. 7.Taking note of the facts and circumstances, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners with certain conditions.

8. Accordingly, the petitioners are directed to jointly deposit a sum of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Thousand only) as non refundable deposit to the credit of the concerned District Mineral Foundation Trust and on such deposit the petitioners are ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on their appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date on which the order copy is made ready, before the learned

Judicial Magistrate, Sanakrapuram, Kallakurichi District, on condition that each of the petitioners shall execute a separate bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees ten thousand only) each 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] the petitioners shall jointly deposit a sum of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Thousand only) as non refundable deposit to the credit of the concerned District Mineral Foundation Trust. [c] the petitioners shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 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 absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229A IPC.

28.07.2022 Lpp

G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J.

Lpp Crl.O.P.No. 17751 of 2022 28.07.2022