Sekar @ Nai Sekar v. The State Rep By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Friday, the Twenty Second day of October Two Thousand Twenty One PRESENT The Hon`ble Mr Justice M.DHANDAPANI CRIMINAL ORIGINAL PETITION No.19611 of 2021 SEKAR @ NAI SEKAR [ PETITIONER / ACCUSED ] Vs THE STATE REP BY [ RESPONDENT ] THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, KATPADI POLICE STATION, VELLORE DISTRICT (CR NO.469/2021) For Petitioner : M/S.M.SATHISH KUMAR Advocate For Respondent : MR.C.E.PRATAP, 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 at the hands of the respondent police for the alleged offence U/s. 379 & 430 of IPC R/w Section 21(1) of Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act 1957, in Crime No.469 of 2021 on the file of the respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that on 18.08.2021, while the respondent police was on patrol, a bullock cart was intercepted and when the vehicle was searched, it was found to transport 1⁄4 units of river sand without any transit permit . Based on the complaint, the Inspector of Police had seized the Lorry along with 1⁄4 units of river sand.

3.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that the petitioner has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. However, on instructions, he further submitted that the petitioner, without prejudice to his rights, is ready to deposit a sum of Rs.50,000/- to the credit of the concerned District Mineral Foundation Trust that may be imposed by this Court. 4.The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) submitted that if the person is caught with illegal sand in the mining area, necessarily he could be released on bail by imposing of deposit of any amount as may be ordered by this Court. In view of formation of

District Mineral Foundation Trust in each District, the amount may be directed to be deposited to the credit of the said Trust for rehabilitation in the areas affected by illegal sand mining. 5.In view of the rehabilitation undertaken by the State Government under the Tamil Nadu District Mineral Foundation Rules, 2017, and in order to curb the illegal sand mining activities and also considering the submission made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court is of the opinion that the petitioner may be directed to make a non refundable deposit of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand Only) to the credit of the concerned District Mineral Foundation Trust, without prejudice to his rights and contentions. The amount so deposited shall be utilised by the Trust for rehabilitation works.

6.It is made clear that the deposit of the amount by the petitioner to the Trust would not amount to admission of guilt. The trial Court shall deal with the case independently on merits without reference to the amount deposited at the stage of anticipatory bail. 7.Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and also the submission made by the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side), this Court inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner on certain conditions.

8.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 Katpadi, Vellore 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 canceled; (b) the petitioner shall make a non refundable deposit of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand Only) through demand draft to the credit of the Chairman/District Collector, District Mineral Foundation Trust of the concerned District, without prejudice to his defence before the trial Court and the learned Judicial Magistrate, after perusing the challan/ receipt, 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. for a period of two weeks and thereafter as and when required for interrogation;

(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/- 22/10/2021 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, KATPADI, VELLORE DISTRICT.

2 THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE VELLORE [FOR INFORMATION] 3 THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, KATPADI POLICE STATION, VELLORE DISTRICT.

4 THE CHAIRMAN/DISTRICT COLLECTOR, DISTRICT MINERAL FOUNDATION TRUST, VELLORE DISTRICT.

5 THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT, MADRAS.

+1CC to M/S.M.SATHISH KUMAR Advocate on payment of necessary charges SR.NO.11583 CRL OP.19611/2021 Date :22/10/2021 CSK 29/10/2021