P.Ramar v. The State By
Crl.O.P.No. 17803 of 2022 G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J.
The petitioner, who apprehend arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 379 of IPC and and Section 3 (1) of Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984 in Crime No. 159 of 2020, on the file of the respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail.
2. It is the case of the prosecution that the petitioner is alleged to have transported three units of river sand illegally. Hence, the complaint.
3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution and he has been falsely implicated in this case. Hence, he prays to grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 4.The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent submitted that the quantity of sand involved is three units of river sand. He further submitted that there is no previous case pending
against the petitioner. 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 petitioner are directed to deposit a sum of Rs.45,000/- (Rupees Forty Five 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 petitioner has deposited 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 note of the facts and circumstances, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner with certain conditions.
8. Accordingly, the petitioner is directed to deposit a sum of Rs.45,000/- (Rupees Forty Five Thousand only) as non refundable deposit to the credit of the concerned District Mineral Foundation Trust and on such deposit the petitioner is 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 District Munsifcum-Judicial Magistrate, Edappadi, on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees ten 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. 45,000/- (Rupees Forty Five Thousand only) as non refundable deposit to the credit of the concerned District Mineral Foundation Trust.
[c] the petitioner 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 petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial.
[e] the petitioner 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
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].
[g] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229A IPC.
29.07.2022 Lpp G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J.
Lpp
Crl.O.P.No. 17803 of 2022 29.07.2022