Vijayaragavan @ Bharathi v. The Inspector Of Police

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 22/11/2021 PRESENT The Hon`ble Mr.Justice B.PUGALENDHI Vijayaragavan @ Bharathi

...Petitioner/Sole Accused

Vs State Rep. by The Inspector of Police, Ayyampettai Police Station, Ayyampettai, Thanjavur District.

(crime No.952 of 2021).

... Respondent/Complainant For Petitioner : Mr.K.ARUNRAJ, Advocate.

For Respondent : Mr.P.KOTTAI CHAMY, Government Advocate PETITION FOR BAIL Under Sec.439 of Cr.P.C.

PRAYER :- For Bail in Crime No.952 of 2021 on the file of the respondent police.

ORDER : The Court made the following order :- The petitioner/sole accused, who is arrested on 13.09.2021 for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 379 IPC r/w 21(1) Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957, in Crime No.952 of 2021 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail. 2.The case of the prosecution is that on 13.09.2021 when the respondent police was doing the regular checkup near by Vadakari area, the petitioner has transported 1⁄2 unit of river sand without any valid permit.

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.

4. Earlier, this Court by order dated 29.09.2021 dismissed the anticipatory bail filed by the petitioner on the ground that the petitioner is having six previous cases.

5.Now, the learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondent would submit that among the six previous cases, four 1/3

cases were closed and two cases alone are pending as against this petitioner.

6.Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and the submission made by the learned Government Advocate and also considering the period of incarceration, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner, however, with stringent conditions. 8.Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is allowed and the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his executing a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/-(Rupees Twenty Five Thousand Only) with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate No.III, Thanjavur, 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 petitioner shall file an undertaking affidavit before the respondent police as well as before the trial Court that they will not indulge in any other offences in future. [c]the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m. until further orders.

[d]the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial.

[e]the petitioner shall not tamper with the evidence or witness either during investigation or trial. [f]On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial 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]. [g] If the accused thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229A 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 and 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.

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 of 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 emphasised the need for confiscation of the 2/3

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 confiscation of the same in G.O.Ms.No.170, Industries MMC-2 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-2 Department, dated 05.08.2020.

sd/- 22/11/2021 / 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.III THANJAVUR.

2 DO THROUGH THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, THANJAVUR DISTRICT AT KUMBAKONAM.

3 THE OFFICER INCHARGE SUB JAIL, KUMBAKONAM.

4 THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, AYYAMPETTAI POLICE STATION, AYYAMPETTAI, THANJAVUR DISTRICT.

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

ORDER

IN CRL OP(MD) No.18189 of 2021 Date :22/11/2021 SA/VR/SAR.1/22.11.2021/3P/6C 3/3