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Madras High CourtCRL RC(MD)/628/2025allowed

Sathiya v. The State Of Tamil Nadu

2025-06-09Honourable Mrs Justice L.Victoria Gowri6 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 09.06.2025

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI Sathiya ... Petitioner Vs.

State rep., by The Inspector of Police, Kadamalaikundu Police Station, Theni District.

Crime No.78 of 2025 ... Respondent Prayer : Criminal Revision Case is filed under Section 438 r/w 442 of BNSS, 2023, to call for the records relating to the order dated 05.05.2025 in Crl.M.P.No.772 of 2025 in Crime No.78 of 2025 on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Aundipatti, set aside the same and consequentially direct the learned Judicial Magistrate, Aundipatti to return the vehicle JCB bearing Registration No.TN-60-AM-6179 to the petitioner herein.

For Petitioner : Mr.M.Prabu For Respondent : Mr.S.S.Manoj Government Advocate (Crl.side) 1/6

ORDER

The Criminal Revision is directed against the order passed in Cr.M.P.No.772 of 2025 in Crime No.78 of 2025, on the file of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Aundipatti, dismissing the petition filed under Section 503 of BNSS.

2. The petitioner claims to be the owner of the vehicle/JCB bearing Reg.No.TN-60-AM-6179. On 24.04.2025, the respondent police intercepted the vehicle bearing Reg.No.TN-60-AM-6179 and seized the vehicle as the same was used for transporting of Savudu sand illegally without any valid license or permit and registered a case in Crime No.78 of 2025 for the offences under Section 303(2) BNS and 21(4) of MMDR Act.

3. It is not in dispute that the petitioner has approached the learned Judicial Magistrate, Aundipatti, for returning of the said vehicle in Crl.M.P.No.772 of 2025 and the learned Judicial Magistrate, vide order dated 05.03.2025, has dismissed the petition. Aggrieved by the order of dismissal, the petitioner has now come forward with the present revision. 2/6

4. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the State.

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-60-AM-6179, is owned by the petitioner, that the said vehicle has no connection whatever with the alleged occurrence, that the vehicle is with the police for the past two months, 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 3/6

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 05.03.2025 passed in Crl.M.P.No.772 of 2025 by the learned Judicial Magistrate, Aundipati, is hereby set aside and the vehicle/JCB bearing Reg.No.TN-60-AM-6179 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 Aishwaryam Trust, Indian Bank, Tirunagar Branch, Madurai, Account No.6639017788, IFSC Code: IDIB000T032;

(b) the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.10,00,000/- (Rupees Ten Lakhs only), with two sureties for a likesum to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Aundipatti ; 4/6

(c) the petitioner shall deposit the original Registration Certificate of the vehicle before the learned Judicial Magistrate, Andipatti ; (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 question for any illegal activities in future, failing which the respondent/trial Court is at liberty to confiscate the vehicle. 09.06.2025 NCC: Yes/No Index: Yes/No Rmk To 1.The Judicial Magistrate, Aundipatti.

2.The Inspector of Police, Kadamalaikundu Police Station, Theni District.

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L.VICTORIA GOWRI,J.

Rmk 09.06.2025 6/6