Ravi v. State Represented by the Inspector of Police

ORDER The petitioners, who apprehend arrest for the alleged offences under Sections 303(2) and 62 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act, in Crime No.125 of 2026, on the file of the respondent police seek anticipatory bail.

¶2The case of the prosecution is that the petitioners were attempted to illegally transport four units of Norambu sand without a valid permit or licence Page2 of 6 using a tipper lorry and JCB was caught red handed by the respondent police. Hence, the case.

3.The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are innocent and have been falsely implicated in this case. He further submitted that the petitioners are ready to abide by any stringent conditions that may be imposed by this Court and are willing to co-operate for investigation. He further submitted that the second petitioner is not an accused in this case. Hence, he prays to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners.

¶4The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and, upon instructions, submitted that no previous cases have been registered against the petitioners. However, he opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners.

¶5I have given my anxious consideration to the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.

6.According to the submissions made by the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side), the first petitioner does not have any previous cases. Although, this Court views the offence of theft of natural resources and its exploitation as a serious offence, taking into consideration the fact that the first Page3 of 6 petitioner has no previous case, and upon the fond hope that he would mend himself in future and would not come under the adverse notice of the respondent, this Court is inclined to enlarge the first petitioner on anticipatory bail, subject to certain conditions. Since, the second petitioner is not an accused, this application is disposed of as against the second petitioner.

7.Accordingly, the first petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on his appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date on which the order copy is made ready, before the Learned Judicial Magistrate, Pappireddipatti, on condition that the first petitioner shall execute 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 Magistrate concerned, and on further conditions:

(a) If the first petitioner fail to surrender before the concerned learned Magistrate within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, this order shall stand automatically cancelled;

(b) The sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the application for surety ship (Judicial Form No.46 annexed to 'The Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019]'. The learned Magistrate shall obtain a copy of any one of identify proofs to ensure their identity;

(c) The first petitioner/accused is directed to produce a demand draft for a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One lakh Page4 of 6 only) in favour of the 'The Chairman/District Collector, The District Mineral Foundation Trust of Dharmapuri District', (Non refundable) before the learned Judicial Magistrate, Pappireddipatti;

(d) On production of the above Demand Draft, the learned Magistrate is directed to take necessary steps to hand over the same to the District Collector. Upon receipt of the said amount, the District Collector shall realise and utilise the same strictly in accordance with law and in terms of G.O.Ms.No.84, Natural Resources (MMD.1) Department, dated 16.12.2025;

(e) The first petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 am for a period of four weeks; thereafter as and when required for interrogation;

(f) On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate actions against the first petitioner in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the first petitioner released on anticipatory bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji v. State of Kerala [(2005) AIR SCW 5560];

(g) If the first petitioner thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act. 07-08-2026 ep Page5 of 6 To:

1.The Judicial Magistrate, Pappireddipatti.

2.The Inspector of Police Gobinathampatti Police station, Dhamapuri District.

¶3The Chairman/District Collector, The District Mineral Foundation Trust, Dharmapuri District.

¶4The Public Prosecutor High Court of Madras. CRLoOPoNo.o21724oofo2026 C.KUMARAPPAN,oJ. ep CRLoOPoNo.o21724oofo2026

07.08.2026 Page6oofo6

Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 07-08-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN 1. Ravi 2. Sakthi ..Petitioner(s) Vs State Represented by The Inspector of Police Gobinathampatti Police station, Dhamapuri District. Crime No.125 of 2026. ..Respondent(s) Prayer:- Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 482 of BNSS Act, 2023, pleased to enlarge the petitioner on anticipatory bail in the event on their arrest by the Respondent Police in Crime No. 125 of 2026 on the file of the Respondent Police. For Petitioner(s): Mr.Balakrishnan K For Respondent(s): M/s.R.S.Indira Government Advocate(Criminal side)