P.Ramesh v. The State Rep By, The Sub - Inspector Of Police,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 26.08.2025

CORAM

THE HON'BLE DR.JUSTICE G.JAYACHANDRAN Crl.O.P. No.23327 of 2025 P.Ramesh ... Petitioner Vs.

The State represented by The Sub-Inspector of Police, Maruvathur Police Station, Perambalur District.

(Crime No.118 of 2025) ... Respondent PRAYER: This Criminal Original Petition has been filed by 439 Cr.P.C., C/U/s 483 of BNSS, praying to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No.118 of 2025 pending investigation on the file of the Sub-Inspector of Police, Maruvathur Police Station, Permabalur District. For Petitioner : Mr.C.D.Johnson For Respondent : Mr. L.Baskaran, Government Advocate (Crl. Side) ********

O R D E R

This petition for anticipatory bail has been filed by the petitioner in connection with Crime No.118 of 2025 registered by the respondent police for the alleged offence under Section 303(2) of B.N.S, U/s.21(1) of M.M.D.R.Act 1957, U/s 9(B) (1)(b) of Indian Explosives Act 1884 and U/s 5 of Explosive Substances Act, 1908.

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2. The petitioner herein was arrested on 16.07.2025 for the alleged supply of explosive substances used for illegal mining of granite stones. He has been arrayed as A5. According to the complaint lodged by the Village Administrative Officer, illegal quarrying was carried out in the patta land of one Thiagarajan using explosives. The petitioner, who runs Amman Explosive Stores, is alleged to have supplied explosives to one Ganesan, who in turn supplied them to the other accused for stone blasting.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is a licensed explosive merchant who had a contractual agreement only with one Gunasekaran and had no dealings with the other accused persons. It appears that Ganesan, an employee under Gunasekaran, misused the explosives supplied to Gunasekaran under the said agreement.

4. The learned counsel also produced the license issued in favour of the petitioner, as well as the agreement entered into between the petitioner, as proprietor of M/s. Amman Agency, and Gunasekaran.

5. On the other hand, the learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) submits that Gunasekaran is not an accused in this case. As far as the 2/4

petitioner is concerned, his involvement in the offence has been spoken to by other accused, namely Krishnamoorthy (A1). The landowner, Thiagarajan, who knowingly allowed the accused persons to excavate stones from his patta land, has also now been arrayed as an accused.

6. The counsel for the petitioner further submits that the petitioner has been in custody for nearly 40 days and, therefore, seeks bail. However, considering the quantum of illegal mineral extraction and the stage of investigation, this Court is of the view that releasing the petitioner on bail at this juncture may result in misuse of liberty and tampering with evidence.

7. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is dismissed. 26.08.2025 nvi To

1. The Sub-Inspector of Police, Maruvathur Police Station, Perambalur District.

2. The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

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Dr.G.JAYACHANDRAN,J., nvi Crl.O.P. No.23327 of 2025 26.08.2025 4/4