Aathilingam v. The Inspector Of Police

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Tuesday, the Sixth day of February Two Thousand Eighteen PRESENT The Hon`ble Mr.Justice R.PONGIAPPAN CRL OP(MD) No.1815 of 2018 1 AATHILINGAM 2 ENCOCH ... PETITIONERS/ACCUSED NOS.8 & 11 Vs STATE REP.BY THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, VILATHIKULAM POLICE STATION, THOOTHUKUDI DISTRICT.

(CRIME NO 1 OF 2018) ... RESPONDENT / COMPLAINANT For Petitioners: M/S.R.MURUGAN, Advocate For Respondent : M/S.K.SUYAMBULINGA BHARTHI, Govt.Advocate(Crl.Side) PETITION FOR ANTICIPATORY BAIL Under Sec. 438 Cr.P.C. ORDER : The Court Made the following order :- The petitioners/Accused Nos.8 & 11, who apprehend arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 379 of IPC., and Section 21(1) of the Tamilnadu Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, in Crime No.1 of 2018, seek anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioners and other accused transported river sand by using a Torus Lorry without obtaining any valid permission from the appropriate authority. Hence, the present case has been registered against the petitioners.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are innocent, they are no way connected with the alleged offence as alleged and pleads for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioners.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) submitted that during the time of investigation, the property which was used for the commission of offence was recovered. He further submitted that A8/1st petitioner is the owner of the vehicle and the second petitioner is the driver. According to him, investigation is in progress.

5.The submissions made by the learned counsel appearing on either side are considered. It is alleged that during the time of occurrence, the petitioners along with other accused committed theft of river sand by using a Torus Lorry. As per the submission made by the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side), as of now, the property which was used for the commission of offence and the river sand are all recovered. Accordingly, custodial interrogation of the petitioners may not be necessary for completing the investigation. Therefore, considering the above facts and circumstances, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners with certain conditions.

Accordingly, 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, Vilathikulam, Thoothukudi District, on condition that each of the petitioners shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the respondent Police or to the Police Officer, who intends to arrest or to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate concerned and on further condition that: (i) the first petitioner/A8 being the owner of the Torus Lorry shall deposit a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) to the credit of Crime No.

1 of 2018, before the learned Judicial Magistrate, Vilathikulam, Thoothukudi District; (ii) the petitioners shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m.

(iii) the petitioners shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial;

(iv) the petitioners shall not abscond either during investigation or trial;

(v) on breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the anticipatory bail granted to the petitioners shall stand automatically cancelled and 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 petitioner released on bail by the 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].

sd/- 06/02/2018 / TRUE COPY / Sub-Assistant Registrar (C.S.) Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai - 625 023.

TO

1. THE JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, VILATHIKULAM, THOOTHUKUDI DISTRICT.

2. DO-THROUGH THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, THOOTHUKUDI DISTRICT.

3. THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, VILATHIKULAM POLICE STATION, THOOTHUKUDI DISTRICT.

4. THE ADDITIONAL PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT, MADURAI.

+1. CC to M/S.R.MURUGAN Advocate SR.No.2002

ORDER

IN CRL OP(MD) No.1815 of 2018 Date :06/02/2018 MS/CM-VR/SAR.4/12.02.2018/3P.6C