Ragunath v. The State Of Tamilnadu

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 13.06.2025 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P. VADAMALAI Ragunath ... Petitioner / Accused No.2 Vs.

The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by the Inspector of Police, Kattuputhur Police Station, Trichy District.

(Crime No.42 of 2025) ... Respondent / Complainant PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) for Anticipatory Bail in Crime No.42 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police.

For Petitioner :

Mr.N.Balasubramanian, Advocate For Respondent :

Mr.S.Prakash, Government Advocate (Criminal Side) 1/6

ORDER : The Court made the following order :- The petitioner, who apprehend arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, read with Section 21(4) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, in Crime No.42 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that, on 19.02.2025 at about 7:00 a.m., while the respondent police, along with his team, was on patrol duty near the Chinnapallipalayam River Bank, they intercepted an Ashok Leyland Dost bearing Registration No.TN-30-CB-4808 and a Bolero Pickup bearing Registration No.TN-42AK-6280, which were coming from the opposite direction. Upon inspection, they found that the petitioner was illegally excavating and transporting 1⁄2 unit of river sand. While the vehicles were being inspected, the petitioner and the other accused fled from the scene. The respondent police seized the vehicles. Hence, the case.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is an innocent and he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. He would further submit that a false case has been foisted against the petitioner. Hence, he seeks anticipatory bail to the petitioners. 2/6

4. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) would submit that there are totally three accused persons in this case and the petitioner has been arrayed as A2. He would further submit that the alleged properties have been seized by the respondent police. He would also submit that there is one previous case against the petitioner. He would also submit that the investigation is still pending, and therefore, he opposes the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

5. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case and the nature of the offence allegedly committed by the petitioner also taking into consideration the alleged properties have already been recovered, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner, subject to certain conditions.

6. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of his 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 Judicial Magistrate, Thottiyam, Trichy District on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the respondent Police or to the Police Officer, who intends to 3/6

arrest or to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Thottiyam, Trichy District 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 Aadhar card or Bank pass Book to ensure their identity. (b) the petitioner shall furnish his residential address and mobile number to the learned Judicial Magistrate, Thottiyam, Trichy District. In the event of any change in his residential address, the petitioner shall report the same to the learned Judicial Magistrate, Thottiyam, Trichy District. [c] the petitioner shall make a non-refundable deposit of Rs.5,000/- (Rupees Five Thousand only) to the credit of Chairman / District Collector, District Mineral Foundation Trust of the concerned District and on such deposit being made, the learned Judicial Magistrate shall accept the sureties furnished by the petitioner. (d) the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m., until further orders.

(e) the petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial.

(f) the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial. (g) on breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/ Trial 4/6

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]. (h) if the accused thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS, 2023.

7. In the result, this Criminal Original Petition is allowed subject to the conditions stated supra.

sd/- 13/06/2025 / TRUE COPY / /06/2025 Sub-Assistant Registrar (CS-I/II/III/IV) Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai - 625 023.

PAL 5/6

TO 1.THE JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, THOTTIYAM, TRICHY DISTRICT.

2.THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE TRICHY.

3.THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR DISTRICT MINERAL FOUNDATION TRUST, TRICHY.

4.THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, KATTUPUTHUR POLICE STATION, TRICHY DISTRICT.

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

ORDER

IN CRL OP(MD) No.9409 of 2025 Date :13/06/2025 PR/27.06 .2025 6P/6C Madurai Bench of Madras High Court is issuing certified copies in this format from 17/07/2023 6/6