Sankar v. The State Of Tamilnadu

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 03/04/2025 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE R. SAKTHIVEL Sankar ... Petitioner/Accused No.3 Vs The State of Tamilnadu, Rep. by the Inspector of Police, Kotticode Police Station, Kanyakumari District. Crime No. 17/2025.

... Respondent/Complainant For Petitioner : Mr.T. Jegathesh Advocate.

For Respondent : Mr.S.S.Manoj Government Advocate (Crl.Side) PETITION FOR ANTICIPATORY BAIL Under Sec.482 of BNSS PRAYER :- For Anticipatory bail in Crime No. 17 of 2025 on the file of the Respondent Police. ORDER : The Court made the following order :- This Criminal Original Petition has been filed by the petitioner on 01.04.2025 1/7

under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, praying to grant an order of pre-arrest bail.

2. The petitioner / A3 apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent-police for the offences punishable under Section 303(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, r/w. Section 21(1) of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, in Crime No.17 of 2025 on the file of the respondent-police.

3. The case of the prosecution is that on 17.01.2025 at about 8.30 am, when the respondent-Police were on patrol duty, near Chithirangodu check post, while they intercepted a tipper tempo vehicle bearing Regn. No.TN 75 AC 1789. Upon, inspection, it was found that vehicle was carrying a large quantity of black stones without any valid Government Permit, by A1 and A2 from A2's RRM quarry. Hence, the case.

4. Mr.T. Jegathesh, the learned counsel for the petitioner, submits that the petitioner is an innocent person, and he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution, and he has been falsely implicated in this case. He however submits that the petitioner is ready to abide by any conditions to be imposed by this Court. He therefore prays for grant of pre-arrest bail to the petitioner. 2/7

5. Per contra, Mr.S.S.Manoj, the learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondent-police, submits that there is no previous case pending against the petitioner. He further submits that the investigation of the case is still pending and, thereafter, at this stage, if pre-arrest bail is granted to the petitioner, he may cause threat to the witnesses and commit the similar offence. Accordingly, he prays to dismiss this Criminal Original Petition.

6. Heard on both sides. This Court has perused the records.

7. In view of the offence alleged against the petitioner and quantity of river sand allegedly excavated and transported by the petitioner and also considering the fact that vehicle along with black stones were seized by respondent - police, the custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not necessary in this case. Further, the petitioner has permanent residence and deep roots in the society and therefore, there is less possibility for absconding. Considering the same, and also considering the facts and circumstances of the case, and taking note of the fact that there is no previous case pending against the petitioner, and with a view to give an opportunity to reform himself, this Court is inclined to grant an order of pre-arrest bail to the petitioner subject to the following conditions. 3/7

(i) The petitioner shall be released on pre-arrest bail in the event of his arrest or in the event of his surrender before the learned Judicial Magistrate No.I, Padmanabapuram, Kanniyakumari District, within a period of 15 days from date on which the order copy is made ready, on executing a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) along with two sureties each for a like sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate No.I, Padmanabapuram, Kanniyakumari District. (ii) The sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the Application for Suretyship [Judicial Form No.46 annexed to 'The Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019']. The learned Judicial Magistrate No.I, Padmanabapuram, Kanniyakumari District, shall obtain a copy of any one of identity proofs to ensure their identity.

(iii) The petitioner shall appear and sign before the respondent - police weekly twice ie., on every Monday and Friday at 10.00 am until further orders; (iv) The petitioner shall make himself available for interrogation by a police officer as and when required.

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(v) The petitioner shall not, directly or indirectly, make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer. (vi) The petitioner shall not leave India without the previous permission of the Court.

(vii) The petitioner shall not directly or indirectly cause any threat to the defacto complainant and tamper with the evidence. (viii) The petitioner shall furnish his residential address and mobile number to the learned Judicial Magistrate No.I, Padmanabahapurram, Kanniyakumari District. (ix) On breach of any of the aforementioned conditions, the learned Judicial Magistrate No.I, Padmanabapuram, Kanniyakumari District, is entitled to pass appropriate orders against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the aforementioned conditions are imposed by him as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K. Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005) 13 SCC 283]. 5/7

8. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is allowed subject to the conditions stated supra.

sd/- 03/04/2025 / TRUE COPY / /05/2025 Sub-Assistant Registrar (C.S. I / II / III / IV) Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai - 625 023.

TRP TO 1 THE JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE NO.I PADMANABAPURAM, KANNIYAKUMARI DISTRICT.

2 DO-THROUGH :

THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT AT NAGERCOIL.

3 THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, KOTTICODE POLICE STATION, KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT.

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

+1 CC to M/s.V.VIGNESHWARI, Advocate ( SR-3830[I] dated 03/04/2025 ) 6/7

ORDER

IN CRL OP(MD) No.6110 of 2025 Date :03/04/2025 SS/SAR- /02/05/2025/ 7P/6C Madurai Bench of Madras High Court is issuing certified copies in this format from 17/07/2023 7/7