Venkatesan vs State

C.V.Karthikeyan, J

The petitioner seeks bail in Crime No.47 of 2024, registered by the respondent police for the offences punishable under Sections 379 & 430 of IPC r/w Section 21(1) of Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957. The petitioner had been arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 01.02.2024.

The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner was alleged to have transported ¼ unit of river sand in Bullock cart. Hence the complaint.

The learned counsel for the petitioner stated that the petitioner is an innocent and he has been falsely implicated in this case. He further stated that the petitioner is ready to abide by any condition imposed by this Court. Hence, he prays for grant of bail to the petitioner.

The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) for the respondent stated that the petitioner has illegally transported ¼ unit of river sand in a bullock cart. Hence, he vehemently opposed to grant bail to the petitioner.

In order to curb illegal sand mining activities, this Court is of the opinion that the petitioner is directed to deposit a sum of Rs.5,000/-(Rupees Five Thousand only) as non refundable deposit to the credit of the District Revenue Officer, Thirupathur District, without prejudice to his rights and contentions before the trial Court.

Merely, because the petitioner deposit the said amount, it would not amount to admission of his guilt. Therefore, it is open to the trial Court to deal with the case independently.

Taking into consideration all other factors and also considering the period of incarceration, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner subject to the following conditions:

Accordingly, the petitioner shall make a non-refundable deposit of Rs.5,000/- (Rupees Five Thousand only) to the credit of the District Revenue Officer, Thirupathur District, and on such deposit and production of proof, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his executing separate 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 Judicial Magistrate, Vaniyambadi 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 report before the respondent Police everyday at 10.30 a.m., for a period of two weeks and thereafter, as and when required for interrogation.

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

[d] the petitioner shall not tamper with 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 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].

[f] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229A IPC.