K.Ranjithkumar v. The Inspector Of Police

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 27/08/2021 PRESENT The Hon`ble Mr.Justice B.PUGALENDHI K.Ranjithkumar ... Petitioner/Accused No.1 Vs The State Rep.by, The Inspector of Police, Thirukostiyur Police Station, Sivagangai District, (Crime No. 113 of 2021).

... Respondent/Complainant For Petitioner : M/s.Bharathi S, Advocate.

For Respondent : Mr.T.Kottai Chamy, Government Advocate (Crl.Side) PETITION FOR ANTICIPATORY BAIL Under Sec.438 of Cr.P.C PRAYER :- For Anticipatory Bail in Crime No. 113 of 2021 on the file of the respondent Police.

ORDER : The Court made the following order :- The petitioner/A1, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the alleged offences punishable under Section 379 IPC and Section 21(4) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, in Crime No.113 of 2021, seeks anticipatory bail.

2.The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner has illegally transported three units of sand by using Tipper Lorry. Hence, the present case has been registered.

3.The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an innocent person and he has been falsely implicated in this case.

4.The learned Government Advocate (Crl.side) appearing for the 1/4

respondent police submitted that the petitioner has illegally transported three units of sand. He further submitted that the petitioner has no previous case pending against him.

5. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, nature of allegation levelled against the petitioner and the fact that the petitioner has no previous case of similar nature, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner. Accordingly, this petition is allowed and the petitioner is granted anticipatory bail on condition that the petitioner shall pay a sum of Rs.45,000/- (Rupees Forty Five Thousand only) to the credit of Government of Tamil Nadu, CMPRF in IOB, Secretariat Branch, Chennai9 (Account No.11720 10000 00070, IFSC Code: IOBA0001172), without prejudice to his rights and contentions before the trial Court and produce the receipt/acknowledgment before the learned Principal Session Court, Sivagangai.

6. On production of such receipt/acknowledgment, 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 learned Principal Session Court, Sivagangai, on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees ten thousand only) with two sureties for a like sum to the satisfaction of the Magistrate concerned and on further conditions that:

[a]the petitioner and the sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the surety bond and the Magistrate may obtain a copy of their Aadhaar card or bank pass book to ensure their identity.

[b]the petitioner shall report before respondent police daily at 10.30 am., until further orders.

[c]the petitioner shall not tamper with the evidence or witness either during investigation or trial.

[d]the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial.

[e]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 as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioner released on bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005)AIR SCW 5560]. [f]If the accused thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229-A IPC.

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7.It is needless to say that any tool or instrument or vehicle used for illegal quarrying/ transportation of sand is liable to be seized under Section 21(4) of the Mines and Minerals(Development & Regulation) Act, 1957 and any vehicle or instrument or tool which has been seized under Section 21 (4) of the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957, is liable to be confiscated under Section 21(4-A) of the Act.

8.Though the above provision mandates the authorities to confiscate the tool or instrument or vehicle involved in the commission of the offence of illegal quarrying/transportation of sand, the authorities have not invoked the provision of 21 (4-A) of the Mines and Minerals(Development & Regulation) Act, 1957 and therefore, a Division Bench of this Court in W.P.No.19936 of 2016, etc., batch has emphasized the need for confiscation of the vehicles. Consequently, the Government has also issued certain directions to the authorities of Revenue, Police, Forest, Geology and Mining departments to seize the vehicles and for confiscation of the same in G.O.Ms.No.170, Industries MMC-II Department, dated 05.08.2020. Therefore, the respondent police is directed to proceed further as per Section 21 (4-A) of the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957 and as per the guidelines issued in G.O.Ms.No.170, Industries MMC-II Department, dated 05.08.2020.

sd/- 27/08/2021 / TRUE COPY / / /2021 Sub-Assistant Registrar (C.S.) Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai - 625 023.

IAS Note : In view of the present lock down owing to COVID-19 pandemic, a web copy of the order may be utilized for official purposes, but, ensuring that the copy of the order that is presented is the correct copy, shall be the responsibility of the advocate/litigant concerned.

TO 1.THE PRINCIPAL SESSIONS COURT, SIVAGANGAI.

2.DO THROUGH THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, SIVAGANGAI. 3/4

3.THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE THIRUKOSTIYUR POLICE STATION, SIVAGANGAI DISTRICT 4.THE ADDITIONAL PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT, MADURAI.

ORDER

IN CRL OP(MD) No.11930 of 2021 Date :27/08/2021 RK/SKN/SAR-III (23.09.2021) 4P 5C 4/4