Murugan v. The Inspector Of Police

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 28/10/2021 PRESENT The Hon`ble Mr.Justice B.PUGALENDHI

1. Murugan

2. Karthik

3. Manikandan ... Petitioners/Accused No.1 to 3 Vs The State rep.by The Inspector of Police, Thondi Police Station, Ramanathapuram District.

(Cr.No.253/2021).

... Respondent/Complainant For Petitioners: Mr.G.V.VAIRAM SANTHOSH, Advocate.

For Respondent : Mr.A.THIRUVADI KUMAR, Additional Public Prosecutor PETITION FOR BAIL Under Sec.439 of Cr.P.C.

PRAYER :- For Bail in Crime No. 253 of 2021 on the file of the respondent Police.

ORDER : The Court made the following order :- The petitioners/A1 to A3, who were arrested on 13.10.2021 for the offence punishable under Section 379 IPC r/w Section 21(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 in Crime No.253 of 2021 on the file of the respondent police, seek bail.

2.The case of the prosecution is that the petitioners had illegally transported 1⁄2 unit of river sand in an bullock-cart. Hence, the complaint.

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. They are inside the prison from 13.10.2021 and hence, he prays for grant of bail. 1/3

4.The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent would submit that the the investigation is yet to be completed. He further submits that there is no adverse antecedent as against the petitioners.

5.Considering the nature of mineral involved, the antecedent of the petitioners and also the period of incarceration, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioners.

6. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is ordered. The petitioners are directed to be released on bail on their executing 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 District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Thiruvadanai, Ramanathapuram District and on further conditions that: [a]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 the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m. until further orders.

[c]the petitioners shall not abscond either during investigation or trial.

[d]the petitioners shall not tamper with the evidence or witness 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 absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229A 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 and if any vehicle or instrument or tool which has been seized under Section 21 (4) of the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation)Act is liable to be confiscated under Section 21(4-A) of the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation)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 (4A) 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 emphasised the need for confiscation of the vehicles. Consequently, the Government has also issued certain directions to the authorities of Revenue, Police and Forest and 2/3

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 and therefore, the respondent police is directed to proceed further as per Section 21 (4-A) of the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act and as per the guide lines issued in G.O.Ms.No.170, Industries MMC-II Department, dated 05.08.2020.

sd/- 28/10/2021 / 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 DISTRICT MUNSIF CUM JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, THIRUVADANAI, RAMANATHAPURAM DISTRICT.

2 DO THROUGH THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, RAMANATHAPURAM DISTRICT.

3 THE SUPERINTENDENT CENTRAL PRISON, MADURAI.

4 THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, THONDI POLICE STATION, RAMANATHAPURAM DISTRICT.

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

ORDER

IN CRL OP(MD) No.16651 of 2021 Date :28/10/2021 SA/SKN/SAR.3/28.10.2021/3P/6C 3/3