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Madras High CourtCRL RC(MD)/493/2025allowed

Murugesan v. The State Of Tamil Nadu,

2025-04-21Honourable Mr Justice K.Murali Shankar8 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 21.04.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.MURALI SHANKAR Murugesan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The State of Tamil Nadu rep. by The Sub Inspector of Police, Thirumaiyam Police Station, Pudukkottai, Pudukkottai District.

(Crime No.179 of 2024) 2.HDFC Bank Ltd., Dindigul.

... Respondents PRAYER : Criminal Revision Case filed under Section 528 B.N.S.S., to call for the records and set aside the order passed by the learned District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Thirumayam, Pudukkottai District in Crl.M.P.No.39 of 2025 dated 05.03.2025 and consequently direct the respondent to release the petitioner's vehicle namely Box Tipper Lorry bearing its registration No.TN-57-BP-3348.

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For Petitioner : Mr.P.Samuel Gunasingh For R1 : Mr.B.Thanga Aravindh Government Advocate (Crl. Side)

ORDER

The Criminal Revision is directed against the order passed in Crl.M.P.No.39 of 2025 dated 05.03.2025 on the file of the District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Thirumayam, dismissing the petition filed under Section 497 B.N.S.S.

2. The petitioner claims to be the owner of tipper lorry bearing Registration No.TN-57-BP-3348. On 01.12.2024, the first respondent police has registered a case in Crime No.179 of 2024 for the offences under Sections 303(2) BNS and Section 21(1) and 21(2) of Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957 and seized three vehicles including the above said vehicle for the alleged transportation of 6 units of rough stone.

3. It is not in dispute that the petitioner has approached the learned 2/8

District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Thirumayam, for returning of the said vehicle in Crl.M.P.No.39 of 2025 and the learned Judicial Magistrate, vide order dated 05.03.2025, has dismissed the petition. Aggrieved by the order of dismissal, the petitioner has now come forward with the present revision.

4. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the first respondent.

5. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the first respondent would submit that the petitioner is the owner of the vehicle and is the third accused in this case, that the petitioner is having one previous case for similar offence and that the said vehicle was not involved in any other cases. He would further submit that the value of the vehicle is worth about Rs.25 lakhs.

6. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the vehicle bearing Registration No.TN-57-BP-3348 is owned by the 3/8

petitioner, that the said vehicle has no connection whatever with the alleged occurrence, that if the vehicle is kept in open place, the value of the said vehicle will get deteriorated and that therefore interim custody may be granted to the petitioner.

7. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and also the fact that if the vehicle is kept in open place exposing to sun and rain, the value of the vehicle will be deteriorated and no purpose will be served in keeping the vehicle in custody, this Court is inclined to allow the revision and thereby setting aside the impugned order dated 05.03.2025 passed in Crl.M.P.No.39 of 2025, by the learned District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Thirumayam.

8. Accordingly, this Criminal Revision Case stands allowed and the order dated 05.03.2025 passed in Crl.M.P.No.39 of 2025 by the learned District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Thirumayam, is hereby set aside and the vehicle/tipper lorry bearing Registration No.TN-57BP-3348, is ordered to be returned to the petitioner for interim custody subject to the confiscation proceedings to be taken by the concern 4/8

Department or by the Court on the following conditions:- (a) the petitioner is directed to deposit a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) as non-refundable deposit for the said vehicle to the credit of the District Mineral Foundation Trust, Pudukkottai District;

(b) the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.8,00,000/- (Rupees Eight Lakhs only), with two sureties for a likesum to the satisfaction of the learned District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Thirumayam;

(c) the petitioner shall deposit the original Registration Certificate of the vehicle before the learned District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Thirumayam;

(d) The petitioner shall give an undertaking before the respondent/ authority concerned stating that he will not use the vehicle in question for any illegal activities in future, failing which the respondent/trial Court is at liberty to confiscate the vehicle; (e) the petitioner shall not alienate and shall not make any alteration in the vehicle;

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(f) the petitioner shall produce the vehicle before the Court and before the respondent police as and when required; 21.04.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No csm To 1.The District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Thirumayam.

2.The Sub Inspector of Police, Thirumaiyam Police Station, Pudukkottai, Pudukkottai District.

3.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

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K.MURALI SHANKAR,J.

csm Order made in Dated: 21.04.2025 8/8