Selvam v. State Rep By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Friday, the Twenty Fourth day of September Two Thousand Twenty One PRESENT The Hon`ble Mr Justice M.DHANDAPANI CRIMINAL ORIGINAL PETITION No.17538 of 2021 SELVAM [ PETITIONER / ACCUSED ] Vs STATE REP BY [ RESPONDENT ] THE FOREST RANGE OFFICER, ARCOT FOREST RANGE, RANIPET DISTRICT.

S.T.O.R.No.4 OF 2021 For Petitioner : M/S. M.V.DEENADHAYALAN Advocate For Respondent : MR.A.GOPINATH, Govt. Advocate ( Crl. Side) PETITION FOR ANTICIPATORY BAIL Under Sec. 438 Cr.P.C. ORDER : The Court Made the following order :- The petitioner, who apprehends arrest for the alleged offence under Sections 2, 21(d), (e), (f), 35, 35 B, 36 of Tamilnadu Forest Act in S.T.O.R.No.4 of 2021, on the file of the respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail.

2.The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner along with other accused illegally removed 418.700 Kgs red wood trees in the reserve forest area.

3.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution and he has been falsely implicated in this case. However, on instructions, the learned counsel further submitted that the petitioner, on his own volition, is ready and willing to contribute a sum of Rs.50,000/- for improvement of forest in the reserve forest area.

4.The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) submitted that there is no previous case pending against the petitioner and the property has been recovered.

5.Considering facts and circumstances of the case and there is no previous case pending against the petitioner, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 6.Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on his appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, before the learned Judicial Magistrate, Sholingar, 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 and on further condition that:

(a)if the petitioner failed to surrender before the concerned Magistrate within a period of 15 days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, this order shall stand automatically cancelled; (b)the petitioner shall make a non-refundable deposit of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand only) to the credit of the District Forest Officer, Ammur Division for welfare of Arcot forest, without prejudice to his defence before the trial Court and submit the proof of payment of the said amount before the aforesaid learned Judicial Magistrate, who after perusing the challan/ receipt/acknowledgement, shall accept the sureties furnished by the petitioner;

(c)the sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the surety bond and the Court concerned may obtain a copy of their Aadhar card or Bank pass Book to ensure their identity; (d)the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m. until further orders;

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

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

(g)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;

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

-sd/- 24/09/2021 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 JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, SHOLINGAR.

2 THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE VELLORE [FOR INFORMATION].

3 THE FOREST RANGE OFFICER, ARCOT FOREST RANGE, RANIPET DISTRICT.

4 THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT, MADRAS.

5 THE DISTRICT FOREST OFFICER, AMMUR DIVISION FOR WELFARE OF ARCOT FOREST.

+1 CC to M/S. M.V.DEENADHAYALAN Advocate on payment of necessary charges SR.NO.10561 CRL OP.17538/2021 Date :24/09/2021 JPA 06/10/2021