Madras High CourtCRL MP(MD)/8023/2023ordered

Ramadurai v. The Revenue Divisional Officer

2023-06-08Honourable Mr Justice K.Murali Shankar3 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Thursday, the Eighth day of June Two Thousand and Twenty Three PRESENT The Hon`ble Mr.Justice K.MURALI SHANKAR in CRL RC(MD) No.490 of 2023 RAMADURAI ... PETITIONER/PETITIONER Vs 1 THE REVENUE DIVISIONAL OFFICER, THIRUCHENDUR DIVISION, THOOTHUKUDI DISTRICT.

2 THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE AALWARTHIRUNAGIRI POLICE STATION, THOOTHUKUDI DISTRICT.

... RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS Petition filed praying that in the circumstances stated therein and in the petition filed therewith the High Court may be pleased to Suspend the sentence imposed on the petitioner passed vide the impugned order passed by the 1st respondent in M.C No.157/2023 dated 20.04.2023 and enlarge the petitioner on bail pending disposal of Crl RC (MD) No.490/2023.

Prayer in CRL RC(MD). 490/ 2023 :

To call for the records relating to the order made in M.C.No.157/2023 dt 20.04.2023 by the 1st class Sub Divisional Magistrate cum Revenue Divisional Officer Thiruchendur and set aside the same.

Order : This petition coming up for orders on this day, upon perusing the petition filed in support thereof and upon hearing the arguments of M/S.ANGUSAMY V, Advocate for the petitioner and of MR.R.SIVAKUMAR, Government Advocate (Crl.Side) on behalf of the Respondents, the court made the following order:- This Criminal Miscellaneous Petition has been filed to suspend the sentence imposed on the petitioner by the first respondent, in M.C.No.157/2023, dated 20.04.2023, till the disposal of this Criminal Revision.

2. The first respondent, on the basis of the report of the second respondent, has initiated proceedings under Section 110 1/3

Cr.P.C. and conducted enquiry and ordered the petitioner to execute a bond under Section 110 Cr.P.C. on 27.06.2022 and on that basis, the petitioner has been bound over and released, after executing a bond, for maintaining good behaviour for a period of one year viz., from 27.06.2022 to 26.06.2023. Subsequently, a criminal case was registered against the petitioner in Crime No.18 of 2023, for the offences punishable under Section 379 IPC and Section 21(1) of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and the petitioner was arrested on 26.02.2023 and remanded to judicial custody on the same day. The second respondent, by alleging that the petitioner violated/breached the bond executed by him, has sent a communication, requesting the first respondent to initiate necessary action under Section 122(1)(b) Cr.P.C.

Based on the said report of the second respondent, the first respondent issued a show cause notice to the petitioner and directed them to produce the petitioner on 07.03.2023, 13.03.2023, 31.03.2023, 10.04.2023 and 20.04.2023. The first respondent after enquiry, has passed the impugned order, dated 20.04.2023, cancelling the security bond executed by the petitioner and ordered to detain him in prison until the expiry of the period of bond viz., 26.06.2023. Aggrieved by the said order, the petitioner has preferred the present revision along with the present miscellaneous petition seeking suspension of sentence.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner has no way connected with the alleged occurrence in Crime No.18 of 2023, that the impugned order has been passed without following the procedure laid down by this Court, that the learned Magistrate has no power to invoke Section 122(1)(b) Cr.P.C for the violation of the bond executed under Section 110 Cr.P.C and that the personal liberty of the petitioner was seriously affected by the impugned order passed by the first respondent.

4. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would further submit that the Division Bench of this Court has pronounced a judgment dated 13.03.2023 in Crl.R.C.(MD)No.137 of 2018 Batch, wherein, the Division Bench of this Court has specifically observed that an Executive Magistrate cannot authorize imprisonment under Section 122(1)(b) for violation of a bond under Section 107 Cr.P.C. and further observed that a person who has violated the bond executed before the Executive Magistrate under the said provision will have to be challenged or prosecuted before the Judicial Magistrate for enquiry and punishment under Section 122(1)(b) Cr.P.C.

5. Considering the above, this Court is of the view that the petitioner herein is entitled to the relief of suspension of sentence.

6. Accordingly, the relief of suspension of sentence and bail is granted to the petitioner on the following conditions:- 2/3

(i) The petitioner 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 Revenue Divisional Officer, Thiruchendur Division, Thoothukudi District; (ii) The sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the surety bond and the concerned officer may obtain a copy of their Aadhar card or Bank Pass Book to ensure their identity; and (iii) The petitioner shall appear before the first respondent as and when required.

sd/- 08/06/2023 / TRUE COPY / /06/2023 Sub-Assistant Registrar (C.S.) Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai - 625 023.

csm TO 1 THE IST CLASS SUB DIVISIONAL MAGISTRATE CUM REVENUE DIVISIONAL OFFICER, THIRUCHENDUR DIVISION, THOOTHUKUDI DISTRICT.

2 THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, AALWARTHIRUNAGIRI POLICE STATION, THOOTHUKUDI DISTRICT.

3 THE OFFICER INCHARGE, DISTRICT PRISON, PERURANI. 4 THE ADDITIONAL PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT, MADURAI.

+1 CC TO MR.V.ANGUSAMY, ADVOCATE, SR-8438[I]

ORDER

IN in CRL RC(MD) No.490 of 2023 Date :08/06/2023 RS/VR/SAR-(08.06.2023) 3P 6C 3/3