Gopinath v. The Inspector Of Police

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Wednesday, the Sixth day of December Two Thousand Seventeen PRESENT The Hon`ble Mr.Justice M.DHANDAPANI CRL OP(MD) No.16661 of 2017 GOPINATH ... PETITIONER / ACCUSED RANK NOT KNOWN Vs STATE REP.BY THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, VATHALAI POLICE STATION, TRICHY DISTRICT CR NO. 240/2017 ... RESPONDENT/ COMPLAINANT For Petitioner : M/S.P.T.RAMESH RAJA Advocate For Respondent : MR.K.ANBARASAN Government Advocate ( Crl. Side) PETITION FOR ANTICIPATORY BAIL Under Sec. 438 Cr.P.C. ORDER : The Court Made the following order :- The petitioner, who is arrayed as Accused, apprehend arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Section 379 of I.P.C., and Section 21(1) of Tamil Nadu Mines and Minerals (Development Regulation) Act, in Crime No.240 of 2017, on the file of the respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that on 22.11.2017, the petitioner alleged to have indulged in illegal mining in Kollidam riverbed and when he saw the defacto-complainant, he fled away from the place of occurrence. Hence, a case has been registered against the petitioner for the above said offences.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an innocent person and he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution and prays for anticipatory bail.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal side) appearing for the State submitted that the petitioner's vehicle along with sand was seized by the respondent police and there is no previous case pending against the petitioner. He further

submitted that if a person is caught with illegal sand in the mining area, he has to be directed to deposit the conditional amount to the credit of Crime number. However, in view of formation of District Mineral Foundation Trust, the amount may be deposited to the credit of the said Trust for rehabilitation in the illegal sand mining affected areas.

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 is directed to deposit a sum of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Thousand only) to the credit of the concerned District Mineral Foundation Trust, without prejudice to their rights and contentions.

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. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and also considering the submission made by the learned Government Advocate (Crl.side), I am inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner with certain conditions. 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 Judicial Magistrate, Musiri, on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees twenty five thousand only) with two sureties 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 petitioner shall deposit a sum of Rs.

(ii) the petitioner shall report before the respondent police, daily between 10.00 a.m., and 11.00 a.m., for a period of two weeks;

(iii) the petitioner shall make himself available for interrogation including custodial interrogation as and when required by the investigation officer;

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

(vi)the petitioner shall not commit any offence while on bail;

(vii) 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 and the anticipatory bail granted stands cancelled automatically. sd/- 06/12/2017 / TRUE COPY / Sub-Assistant Registrar (C.S.) Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai - 625 023.

PJL TO 1 THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, VATHALAI POLICE STATION, TRICHY DISTRICT 2 THE JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, MUSIRI 3 THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, TRICHY DISTRICT. 4 THE ADDITIONAL PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT, MADURAI.

COPY TO : THE OFFICER INCHARGE, DISTRICT MINERAL FOUNDATION TRUST FUND, TRICHY DISTRICT +1. CC to M/S.P.T.RAMESH RAJA Advocate SR.No.35672 GJM/RR/SAR-I-12.12.2017-3P-7C

ORDER

IN CRL OP(MD) No.16661 of 2017 Date :06/12/2017