Balraj v. The State Of Tamil Nadu Rep. By

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 06.08.2025 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P. VADAMALAI 1.Balraj, S/o.Shanmuga Thevar 2.Sakthivel, S/o.Sundaram ... Petitioners/A1 & A2 Vs The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by, the Inspector of Police, Vattathikottai Police Station, (Crime No.160 of 2025) ... Respondent/Complainant For Petitioners : Mr.T.Eashwar, Advocate For Respondent : Mr.M.Karunanithi, Government Advocate (Crl.Side) PETITION FOR ANTICIPATORY BAIL Under Sec.482 of BNSS PRAYER :- For Anticipatory Bail in Crime No.160 of 2025 on the file of the Respondent Police. ORDER : The Court made the following order :- The petitioners/A1 & A2, who apprehend arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Section 303(2) of BNS, 2023 1/5

r/w. Section 21(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957 in Crime No.160 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police, seek anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that on 27.07.2025, the accused illegally transported 1/2 unit of river sand using two bullock carts. Hence, a case has been registered.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted the petitioners are innocent persons, and have not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. They have been falsely implicated in this case. He, however, submitted that the petitioners are willing to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he seeks anticipatory bail for the petitioners.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. side) submits that there are totally two accused persons in this case. He further submitted that the entire properties have been recovered. However, he opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners.

5. Taking into consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case, the nature of the offence, and considering the quantity of minerals involved, and also taking note of the fact that the entire properties have already been recovered, this court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners, subject to certain conditions.

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6. Accordingly, 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 on which the order copy made ready, before the learned Judicial Magistrate, Pattukottai, on condition that the petitioners shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.

10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) each with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the respondent police or the police officer who intends to arrest or to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Pattukottai, failing which, the petition for anticipatory bail shall stand dismissed and on further condition that: (a) the petitioners 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 petitioners shall deposit a sum of Rs.

4,000/- (Rupees Four Thousand only) each to the credit of the District Mineral Foundation Trust, Thanjavur District as Non-refundable deposit and on such deposit being made, the learned Judicial Magistrate, Pattukottai shall accept the sureties furnished by the petitioners; (c) the petitioners shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m.

(d) the petitioners shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial;

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(e) the petitioners shall not abscond 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 petitioners in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioners released on bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court themselves as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji Vs. State of Kerala [(2005) AIR SCW 5560] and; (g) if the accused/petitioners thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS, 2023.

sd/- 06/08/2025 / TRUE COPY / /09/2025 Sub-Assistant Registrar ( C.S. I / II / III / IV ) Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai - 625 023.

mkn TO 1.The Judicial Magistrate, Pattukottai.

2.The Inspector of Police, Vattathikottai Police Station, 3.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

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Copy to The Officer Incharge, District Mineral Foundation Trust,

ORDER

IN CRL OP(MD) No.13026 of 2025 Date :06/08/2025 SBN/01.09.2025 5P/5C Madurai Bench of Madras High Court is issuing certified copies in this format from 17/07/2023 5/5