Selvaraj 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

1. Selvaraj

2. Eswaran ... Petitioners/Accused Nos.1 & 2 Vs The State rep.by The Inspector of Police, Devipattinam Police Station, Ramanathapuram District.

Crime No. 187 of 2021.

... Respondent/Complainant For Petitioners : Mr.M.S.JEYAKARTHIK, 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.187 of 2021 on the file of the Respondent Police.

ORDER : The Court made the following order :- The petitioners, who apprehend arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the alleged offences punishable under Section 379 IPC and Section 21(1) of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 in Crime No.187 of 2021, seek anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that on 23.05.2021, the petitioners along with some other persons had illegally transported 1/2 unit of savadu sand by using tractor. Hence, the complaint.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the petitioners are innocent persons and they are falsely implicated in this case.

4.

The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side), on instructions, would submit that the petitioners had illegally transported 1/2 unit of savadu sand without permit. He would further submit that one previous case of similar nature is pending against the petitioners.

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5. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, nature of allegation levelled against the petitioners, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners. Accordingly, this petition is allowed and the petitioners are granted anticipatory bail on condition that the petitioners shall pay a sum of Rs.5,000/- (Rupees 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 their rights and contentions before the trial Court and produce the receipt/acknowledgment before the learned Judicial Magistrate No.I, Ramanathapuram.

6. On depositing the above said amount, the petitioners are ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on their appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, before the Judicial Magistrate No.I, Ramanathapuram, on condition that the petitioners shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees ten thousand only) each with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the Magistrate concerned and on further conditions that: [a]the petitioners and the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the surety bond and the Magistrate may obtain a copy of their Aadhar card or Bank pass Book to ensure their identity.

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

[c]the petitioners shall not tamper with the evidence or witness either during investigation or trial. [d]the petitioners 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 petitioners in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioners 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.

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 2/3

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.

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 JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE NO.I RAMANTHAPURAM.

2.DO THROUGH THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, RAMANTHAPURAM DISTRICT.

3.THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, DEVIPATTINAM POLICE STATION, RAMANATHAPURAM DISTRICT.

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

COPY TO:

THE OFFICER INCHARGE, GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU, CHIEF MINISTER PUBLIC RELIEF FUND, SECRETARIAT, CHENNAI-9.

ORDER IN CRL OP(MD) No.12007 of 2021 Date :27/08/2021 SA/PN/SAR.1/03.09.2021/3P/6C 3/3