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Madras High CourtCRL RC(MD)/507/2025disposed of

Saravanan Natarajan v. The State Of Tamilnadu

2025-04-21Honourable Mr Justice K.Murali Shankar6 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 21.04.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.MURALI SHANKAR Saravanan Natarajan : Petitioner Vs.

State of Tamil Nadu rep.by The Sub-Inspector of Police, Oomatchikulam Police Station, Madurai. Crime No.123 of 2024.

: Respondent PRAYER : Criminal Revision Petition filed under Section 438 r/w 442 BNSS, to call for the records made in Cr.M.P.No.240 of 2025 on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate No.V, Madurai, filed under Section 497 and 503 of BNSS, 2023 for return of vehicle and set aside the dismissal order, dated 27.03.2025.

For Petitioner : Mr.S.Deenadhayalan For Respondent : Mrs.M.Aasha, Government Advocate (Crl. Side)

ORDER

The Criminal Revision is directed against the order passed in Cr.M.P.No.240 of 2025 in Crime No.123 of 2024, on the file of the learned 1/6

Judicial Magistrate No.V, Madurai, dismissing the petition filed under Section 497 and 503 of BNSS.

2. The petitioner claims to be the owner of the vehicle/Tipper Lorry bearing Reg.No.TN-20-AF-3661. On 25.12.2024 the respondent police intercepted the vehicle bearing Reg.No.TN-20-AF-3661 and seized the vehicle as the same was used for transporting of sand illegally without any valid license or permit and registered a case in Crime No.123 of 2024 for the offences under Section 303(2) BNS and Section 21(1) of MMDR Act.

3. It is not in dispute that the petitioner has approached the learned Judicial Magistrate No.V, Madurai, for returning of the said vehicle in Cr.M.P.No.240 of 2025 and the learned Judicial Magistrate, vide order, dated 27.03.2025, 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 (Criminal Side) appearing for the State. 2/6

5. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent would submit that the petitioner is the owner of the vehicle and that the petitioner is not having any previous cases for similar offence and that the said vehicle was not involved in any other cases.

6. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the vehicle bearing Reg.No.TN-20-AF-3661, is owned by the 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.

8. Accordingly, this Criminal Revision Petition is allowed and the order, dated 27.03.2025 passed in Cr.M.P.No.240 of 2025 by the learned 3/6

Judicial Magistrate No.V, Madurai, is hereby set aside and the vehicle/Tipper Lorry bearing Reg.No.TN-20-AF-3661, is ordered to be returned to the petitioner for interim custody subject to the confiscation proceedings to be taken by the concern 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, Madurai District; (b) the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.6,00,000/- (Rupees Six Lakhs only), with two sureties for a likesum to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate No.V , Madurai; (c) the petitioner shall deposit the original Registration Certificate of the vehicle before the learned Judicial Magistrate No.V, Madurai; (d) the petitioner shall not alienate and shall not make any alteration in the vehicle;

(e) the petitioner shall produce the vehicle before the Court and before the respondent police as and when required;

(f) the petitioner shall give an undertaking before the respondent/authority concerned stating that he will not use the vehicle in 4/6

question for any illegal activities in future, failing which the respondent/trial Court is at liberty to confiscate the vehicle. 21.04.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No das To 1.The Judicial Magistrate No.V , Madurai.

2.The Sub-Inspector of Police, Oomatchikulam Police Station, Madurai.

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

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K.MURALI SHANKAR,J.

das Order made in Dated: 21.04.2025 6/6