Pandiselvi v. The Inspector Of Police

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 07/10/2021 PRESENT The Hon`ble Mr.Justice B.PUGALENDHI

1. Pandiselvi,

2. Murugan,

3. Ajay,

4. Machakalai,

5. Irulu,

6. Manikandan,

7. Pandi, ... Petitioners/Accused Nos.1 to 7 Vs The State Rep.by The Inspector of Police, Thiruppuvanam Police Station, Thiruppuvanam, Sivagangai District.

... Respondent/Complainant (Crime No.382 of 2021) For Petitioner : M/s.Palani Velayutham S, Advocate.

For Respondent : Mr.P.Kottai Chamy, Government Advocate (Crl.Side) PETITION FOR ANTICIPATORY BAIL Under Sec.438 of Cr.P.C PRAYER :- For Anticipatory Bail in Crime No.382 of 2021 on the file of the Respondent Police.

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ORDER : The Court made the following order :- The petitioners/A1 to A7, who apprehend arrest at the hands of the respondent police, for the offence punishable under Section 21

(1) of Mines and Minerals Act and Section 379 IPC, in Crime No. 382 of 2021, on the file of the respondent police, seek anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioners have illegally transported 1/4 unit of river sand in a Tipper Lorry bearing Reg.No.TN74 AJ 0690.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the petitioners are innocents and they have not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. However, to show their bona fide, they are prepared to pay a sum of Rs.7,000/- to any organization as directed by this Court.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) submits that the petitioners have illegally transported 1/4 unit of river sand and hence, the case was registered. He further submitted that the petitioners have no previous case pending against them.

5. Considering the nature of mineral involved, the antecedent of the petitioners and their willingness to pay a sum of Rs.7,000/-, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is allowed on condition that each petitioner shall pay a sum of Rs.1,000/- (Rupees One Thousand Only) (total Rs.7,000/-) in favour of the District Green Committee, Sivagangai District, without prejudice to their rights and contentions before the trial Court and produce the receipt / acknowledgment before the learned Judicial Magistrate, Thiruppuvanam, Sivagangai District.

6. The District Green Committee, which was formed as per the Government Order in G.O.Ms.No.39, Environment, Climate Change and Forest (FR.13) Department, dated 02.07.2021, pursuant to the directions of this Court in W.P.No.11094 of 2021, shall utilize the amount paid by the petitioner for plantation of trees on either side of the road, tree guard, drip irrigation, manure, etc., with public participation, including, NGOs, Confederation of Industries, Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, School Students, College Students, Self Help Groups, labours under MGNREGS and any other volunteers, etc., to achieve 100% survival rate of the planted trees. The State Green Committee shall extend their support in this regard by recommending the correct variety / species of trees, in accordance with the soil type and climatic conditions and also for the maintenance. The maintenance of the trees planted has to be reviewed by the District Green Committee, after two years and necessary appreciations have to be made to the stakeholders concerned in the form of certificates. 2/4

7. On production of receipt / acknowledgement for having paid the amount before the District Green Committee, 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 learned Judicial Magistrate, Thiruppuvanam, Sivagangai District, on condition that the petitioners shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) each, with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned 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 learned Judge may obtain a copy of their Aadhaar card or bank pass book to ensure their identity.

[b]the petitioners shall report before the 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 the 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 are 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.

8. 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.

9. 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 under Section 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 and Forest and Geology and Mining departments to seize the vehicles and for 3/4

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/- 07/10/2021 / TRUE COPY / / /2021 Sub-Assistant Registrar (C.S.) Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai - 625 023.

OGY 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 learned Judicial Magistrate, Thiruppuvanam, Sivagangai District.

2.-do-through The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sivagangai District.

3. The Inspector of Police, Thiruppuvanam Police Station, Thiruppuvanam, Sivagangai District.

4. The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

Copy to:

1.The District Green Committee, Sivagangai District.

2. The Officer Incharge,The State Green Committee, Chennai.

ORDER

IN CRL OP(MD) No.15346 of 2021 Date :07/10/2021 RD/SKN/SAR-IV(26.10.2021) 4P 7C 4/4