Madras High Court
P.L.Padikasu vs The State Rep.By
Author: N. Anand Venkatesh
Bench: N. Anand Venkatesh
1
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
Reserved on Delivered on
21.04.2023 26.04.2023
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE N. ANAND VENKATESH
CRL.OP (MD).No.9412 of 2019
and
Crl.MP.No.5985 of 2019
P.L.Padikasu .. Petitioner/1st Accused
.Vs.
The State rep.by
The Deputy Superintendent of Police
District Crime Branch
Madurai District. ... Respondent/Complainant
Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Cr.P.C., to call for
the records relating to proceedings in PRC No.22 of 2018, on the file of the
Judicial Magistrate No.I, Madurai and quash the same as against this
petitioner.
For Petitioner : Mr.Abudukumar Rajarathinam
Senior Counsel
for Mr.K.K.Samy
For Respondent : Mr.L.Baskaran
Government Advocate (Crl.side)
ORDER
This quash petition has been filed by the petitioner/A1 questioning the final report https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis filed by the respondent Police and which has now been taken 2 cognizance and pending in Special S.C.No.4 of 2021, before the Special Court.
2.The case of the prosecution is that a lease was granted to the petitioner in G.O.(3D) No.44 dated 06.03.1995 in Patta Survey No.133/2 (part) of Eravarpatti Village to an extent of 0.37.5 hectares for quarrying granites. The licence was not renewed after 2005. The petitioner sold the land to A8 - Deivendran on 24.04.2004.
3.The further allegation that has been made against the petitioner/A1 is that he along with A8 and other accused persons trespassed into the adjacent Government 'Malai Poramboke' land in SF.No.132/1 and removed the boundary stones with machineries and excavated granite stones by using explosive substances and committed theft of granite stones from the Government land and the leasehold area of M/s.K.S.N and Company in SF.No. 132/1 in the eastern side. Thereby, the petitioner is said to have caused wrongful loss to the Government to the tune of Rs.4.38 crores and he wrongfully gained by damaging the Government land beyond the leasehold area for which he was given earlier licence.
4.When the matter came up for hearing on 11.11.2022, this Court passed the following order:
This quash petition was filed by the petitioner/A1 questioning the final report that was filed before the learned Judicial Magistrate No.I, Madurai, which was taken on file in P.R.C.No.22 of 2018. At the time of hearing, it was brought to https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis the notice of this Court that the case has been committed to 3 Special District Court to deal with offences related to Mines and Minerals D and R Act, Madurai and numbered as Spl.S.C.No.4 of 2021.
2. There are totally 16 accused persons in this case and the petitioner has been arrayed as A1. The final report has been filed for offence under Sections 447, 379, 420, 434, 465, 467, 468, 471, 304(ii) IPC r/w. 109, 114, 511 IPC and 3(i) and 4 TNP(PD & L) Act, 1992 and Section 6 r/w. 3(a) 4(a) Explosive Substances Act, 1908 r/w.120(B) IPC.
3. The learned counsel for the petitioner primarily focused his submission on the ground that the petitioner has been roped in this case without even ascertaining as to whether the petitioner was the owner of the adjacent property and whether the petitioner had any licence to quarry in his property.
In other words, the learned counsel submitted that the prosecution launched against this petitioner is a gross abuse of process of law.
4. To substantiate the above submission, the learned counsel for the petitioner brought to the notice of this Court that the petitioner was originally the owner of the property in Survey No.133/2 part and he had a quarry licence for the period from 1994 to 2005. It was further submitted that the petitioner sold the property in favour of A8 - Deivendran, through a registered sale deed, dated 15.04.2004. Thereafter, the revenue record was also mutated in the name of A8 and patta was issued on 29.04.2004. The learned counsel also brought to the notice of this Court the letter addressed by the petitioner to the District Collector, informing about the sale of the property in Survey No.133/2 part and seeking for cancellation of the quarry licence issued in his favour.
5. The gravamen of the charge against the accused person is that taking advantage of the quarry licence issued for Survey No.133/2 part, an illegal quarry had taken place at "Malai Poromboke", situated in Survey No.132/1. The petitioner https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis has been primarily roped in on the ground that he was the 4 owner of the property in Survey No.133/2 part and there was also a quarry licence in his favour.
6. It is true that while considering a quash petition, this Court is not supposed to look at the materials produced by the defence. The only exception that has been carved out by the Apex Court in this regard is that those documents, which are unimpeachable and of sterling quality can always be looked into even at the stage of discharge or quash, as the case may be.
7. An FIR came to be registered as against K.S.N. & Co. in Crime No.142 of 2013 on 20.12.2013. The allegations against the Organization and the other accused persons is that they were carrying on with illegal quarry in the "Malai Poromboke"
situated at Survey No.132/1. During the course of investigation, the 161 statement of the petitioner was also recorded by the Investigation Officer. The statement given by the petitioner was also placed before this Court. It is seen from the statement that the petitioner had informed the Investigation Officer that he had already sold his patta land in Survey No.133/2 part in favour of one Deivendran and that he was not aware about the quarry operation conducted at Survey No.132/1 and hence, the petitioner feigned ignorance with regard to the illegal quarrying that was conducted in Survey No.132/1. The investigation was completed and final report was filed against K.S.N. & Co. and 26 others on 14.02.2014 and the same was taken on file by the Judicial Magistrate No.II, Usilampatty on 01.02.2016. Surprisingly, even in this final report, the above said Deivendran has been ranked as A14.
8. After all the above events got over, a fresh FIR came to be registered in Crime No.23 of 2015 on 31.01.2015 as against the petitioner and others. The investigation was conducted in this FIR also and a final report came to be filed before the Judicial Magistrate No.I, Madurai. The petitioner is primarily sought to be roped in on the ground of criminal conspiracy and abetment. The only statements that are https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis available and which is put against the petitioner is the 5 statement recorded from the V.A.O. and the statement recorded from one Balasubramanian, who was the Village Assistant. Surprisingly, all the statements reaches the Court only on 12.12.2018. The very same V.A.O and the Village Assistant had also given statements in the earlier FIR that was registered in Crime No.142 of 2013 and almost the same allegations have been repeated except change in names.
9. There is absolutely no material to show as to whether the Investigation Officer even ascertained as to who was in actual possession and control of the property in Survey No. 133/2 part. This is in view of the fact that this property has been sold by the petitioner in favour of A8 as early as on 15.04.2004. The alleged illegal quarry that is said to have taken place in Survey No.132/1 was for the period from 2009 to 2012. The licence that was granted in favour of the petitioner also came to an end in 2005. Under such circumstances, the primary duty of the Investigation Officer was to have ascertained as to how the petitioner is having control over the property in Survey No.133/2 part after having sold the same through a registered sale deed in the year 2004 and the period of licence having come to an end in the year 2005.
10. Yet another issue that should have been taken into account by the Investigation Officer was the statement under Section 161(3) of Cr.P.C. that was recorded from the petitioner, when the case was investigated in Crime No.142 of 2013. The petitioner cannot be roped in this case by making some general allegations without really placing any material to pin down the petitioner to the effect that the petitioner did have control over the property which was already sold in the year 2004 and the petitioner continued to quarry, even after the expiry of the licence.
11. On going through the records, no such material is found and hence, on the face of it, no offence has been made out as against the petitioner.
https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis 12. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing 6 on behalf of the respondents sought for some time to go through the records and to assist this Court before final orders are passed in this petition.
13. Post this case under the caption "part heard cases", on 17.11.2022.
5.The matter was listed for hearing today to hear the learned Government Advocate (Crl.side) appearing on behalf of the respondent Police.
6.The learned Government Advocate (Crl.side) submitted that the involvement of the petitioner in this case has been prima facie established through the statements of LW.2, LW.7 and LW.8. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.side) submitted that these witnesses saw the petitioner at the occurrence place, along with other accused persons at the time of quarrying and therefore, there is a prima facie material to show that the petitioner is illegally carrying out mining activities along with A8 and other accused persons. This is the only material that was shown before the Court to substantiate the charges against the petitioner for conspiracy and abetment.
7.For proper appreciation, the relevant portion in the statement of LW.2 is extracted hereunder:
mjw;Fg;gpwF 2009?k; tUlk; ij bgh';fy; md;W fhiy 10/00 kzpiag; nghy ehd; gof;fhR Fthhp gf;fkhfg; nghndd;/ m';nf Vw;fdnt gf;fj;J fpuhkj;ijr; nrh;e;j rpy ngh; epd;W bfhz;oUe;jhh;fs;/ mg;nghJ gof;fhR Fthhpf;F. gof;fhRld; https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis rPdpthrd;. ghyRg;gpukzpad; vd;w ghY. re;JU vd;w re;jh;7
Mfpnahh; xU fhhpYk;. gHdpr;rhkp. gHdpr;rhkpapd; kfd;fs; bre;jpy;Fkhh; Rnu!;Fkhh; Mfpnahh; XU fhhpYk;. gHdpr;rhkpapd mf;fh kfd;fs; KUnfrd; bja;nte;jpud; kw;bwhU fhhpYk; te;J rh;nt vz;/132-2?d; tlf;Fg; gFjpapy; ,w';fpdhh;fs;/ mg;nghJ Vw;fdnt m';fpUe;j fk;bgdp nknd$h; rz;Kfehjd;. bghJ nkyhsh; MWKfk;. thfd bghWg;ghsh; ma;ag;gd;. fpnud; bghWg;ghsh; g[fnHe;jp. bghf;iyd; bghWg;ghsh; gukrptk;. Fthhp nk!;jphp n$hjpghR. bto itf;Fk; fnzrd; Mfpnahh;fs; fpnud;. bghf;iyd'. fk;g;urh; Mfpa ,ae;jpu';fSld; ,th;fspd; tUif;fhf fhj;jpUe;jdh;/ mg;nghJ gof;fhRt[k; gHdpr;rhkpa[k; m';fpUe;jth;fisg; ghh;j;J ehk Fj;jif chpkk; bgw;w ,lj;jpw;F mUfpy; tlf;Fg; gf;fk; cs;s rh;nt vz;/132-1 kiyg;g[gwk;nghf;F gFjpapy; ey;y jukhd fpuhidl; fw;fs; cs;sJ/ Mifahy; me;j ,lj;jpy; fw;fisj; njhz;o tpw;why; ekf;F ey;y yhgk; fpilf;Fk; vd;W brhy;yp. vJte;jhYk; ghh;;j;Jf; bfhs;syhk; vd;W midtUk; Tog;ngrp ekf;F yhgk; fpilj;jhy; rhpjhd; vd;W brhy;yp midtUk; Fj;jif chpkk; bgw;w ,lj;jpw;F mUfpy; tlf;Fg; gf;fk; cs;s muR kidg;g[wk;nghf;F rh;nt vz;/132-1?y; mj;JkPw; EiHe;jhh;fs;/ gpd;dh; gHdpr;rhkp[a[k.; gof;fhRt[k; mth;fs; chpkk; bgw;w ,lj;jpw;F mUfpy; tlf;F gFjpapy; cs;s rh;nt vz;/132-1?y; bjd;fpHf;F gFjpia Tl;of;fhl;o ,e;j ,lj;jpy; Kjypy; ntiyia Muk;gpa[';fs; vd;W brhd;dhh;fs;/ bre;jpy;FkhUk;. Rnu&;FkhUk; nkw;go ,lj;jpy; cs;s vy;iyf; fw;fis gpL';fp Rj;jk; bra;a[';fs; vd;W brhd;dt[ld;. RpdpthrDk; ghyRg;gpukzpad; vd;w ghY[t[k; nrh;e;J MSf;bfhU flg;ghiw kz;btl;oia vLj;Jf; bfhz;L m';fpUe;j vy;iyf; fw;fis gpL';fp mg;g[wg;gLj;jpdhh;fs;/ mth;fSf;F bre;jpy;FkhUk;. Rnu&;FkhUk; cjtp bra;jdh;/ gpd;dh; gukrptk; vd;gth; bghf;iyd; ,ae;jpuj;ij vLj;J te;J gHdpr;rhkpa[k.; gof;fhRt[k; Rl;of;fhl;oa ,lj;jpy; cs;s https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis 8 nky;kz;iz ms;sp Rj;jk; bra;jhh;/ Rj;jk; bra;j ,l';fspy; KUnfrDk; bja;nte;jpuDk; MSf;bfhU nlg;ig gpoj;J mse;J Fwp nghl;lhh;fs;/ Fwp nghl;l ,l';fspy; re;JUt[k; fnzrDk; ohpy;yp'; kpc&pd; bfhz;L te;J Jis nghl;lhh;fs;/ mg;nghJ ehd; mth;fsplk; brd;W Fj;jif chpkk; bgwhj ,lj;jpy; Vd; nrjg;gLj;JfpwPh;fs; vd;W nfl;ljw;F ,e;j ,lj;ija[k; nrh;j;J jhd; Fj;jif vLj;Js;nshk; vd;W brhd;dhh;fs;/ gpd;dh; gof;fhR. gHdpr;rhkp Mfpnahh; J}z;Ljypd; nghpy; Jis nghl;l ,l';fspy; re;JU cjtpa[ld; fnzrd; btokUe;Jfis epug;gdhh;/ btokUe;Jfis epug;gpat[ld; m';fpUe;jth;fis vy;yhk; js;spg; nghfr; brhy;yptpl;L fnzrd; btoia btof;fr; bra;jhh;/ bto btoj;jt[ld; kpFe;j rj;jj;Jld; ga';fu J}rpfSk; Vw;gl;lJ/ md;W neukhfp tpl;ljhy; ehd; tPl;ow;Fr; brd;W tpl;nld;/ kWehs; fhiyapy; ehd; kPz;Lk; mt;tHpahfr; brd;w nghJ Kjy; ehs; ntiy bra;j midtUk; m';fpUe;jdh;/ mjpy; rz;KfehjDk;. MWKfKk; btoj;Jg; gpst[gl;l fpuhidl; fw;fis ,Uk;g[ nuhg;ghy; fl;odhh;fs;/ gpd;dh; g[fnHe;jp fpnud; Mg;gnul;lhuhf ,Ue;J n$hjpghR vd;gtiu cjtpf;F itj;Jf; bfhz;L ,Uk;g[ nuhg;ghy; fl;oa fpuhidl; fw;fis fpnud; K:yk; J}f;fp ma;ag;gd; bfhz;L te;j yhhpapy; J}f;fp Vw;wpdhh;fs;/ me;j yhhpia jpUl;Lj;jdkhf ma;ag;gd; btspna bfhz;L brd;whh;/ ,t;thwhf mth;fSila ntiyfis khwp khwpr; bra;J bjhlh;e;J gy ehl;fs; gy njjpfspy; fpuhidl; fw;fis jpUl;Lj;jdkhf btspna bfhz;L brd;wij ehd; ghh;Js;nsd;
8.Similarly, the relevant portion in the statement of LW.7 is extracted hereunder:
2009?k; tUlk; ij bgh';fy; md;W fhiy 10/00 kzpiag; https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis nghy ehDk; fGtehjg[uj;ij nrh;e;j ghz;oa[k; v';f brhe;j 9 ntiy fhuzkhf gof;fhR Fthhp gf;fkhfg; nghndhk;/ mg;nghJ gof;fhR Fthhpf;F. gof;fhRld; rPdpthrd;. ghyRg;gpukzpad; vd;w ghY. re;JU vd;w re;jh; Mfpnahh; xU fhhpYk;. gHdpr;rhkp. mtuJ kfd;fs; bre;jpy;Fkhh; Rnu!;Fkhh; Mfpnahh; XU fhhpYk;. gHdpr;rhkpapd mf;fh kfd;fs; KUnfrd; bja;nte;jpud; kw;bwhU fhhpYk; te;J Fj;jif chpkk; bgw;w gFjpahd rh;nt vz;/133-2? d; tlf;Fg; gFjpapy; ,w';fpdhh;fs;/ mg;nghJ Vw;fdnt m';fpUe;j PRP epWtdj;ijr; nrh;e;j nknd$h; rz;Kfehjd;. bghJ nkyhsh; MWKfk;. thfd bghWg;ghsh; ma;ag;gd;. fpnud; bghWg;ghsh; g[fnHe;jp. bghf;iyd; bghWg;ghsh; gukrptk;. Fthhp nk!;jphp n$hjpghR. bto itf;Fk; fnzrd; Mfpnahh;fs; fpnud;. bghf;iyd;. fk;g;urh; Mfpa ,ae;jpu';fSld; ,th;fspd; tUiff;fhf fhj;jpUe;jdh;/ mg;nghJ gof;fhRt[k;. gHdpr;rhkpa[k; m';fpUe;jth;fisg; ghh;j;J ehk Fj;jif chpkk; bgw;w ,lj;jpw;F mUfpy; tlf;Fg; gf;fk; cs;s rh;nt vz;/132-1 kiyg;g[gwk;nghf;F gFjpapy; ey;y jukhd fpuhidl; fw;fs; cs;sJ/ me;j ,lj;jpy; fw;fisj; njhz;o vLj;J tpw;why; ekf;F ey;y yhgk; fpilf;Fk;. VJ te;jhYk; ghh;;j;Jf; bfhs;syhk; vd;W midtUk; Tog;ngrp ekf;F yhgk; fpilj;jhy; rhpjhd; vd;W brhy;yp gof;fhR. gHdpr;rhkp. bre;jpy;FkhUk;. Rnu&;Fkhh;. Rpdpthrd;. ghyRg;gpukzpad; @ ghY[ KUnfrd;. bja;nte;jpud;. gukrptk;. re;JU @ re;jh;. fnzrd;. rz;Kfehjd;. MWKfk;. g[fnHe;jp. n $hjpghR. ma;ag;gd; Mfpa vy;nyhUk; Fj;jif chpkk; bgw;w ,lj;jpw;F mUfpy; tlf;Fg; gf;fk; cs;s muR kiyg;g[wk;nghf;F rh;nt vz;/132-1?y; mj;JkPwp EiHe;jhh;fs;/ gHdpr;rhkpa[k.; gof;fhRt[k; rh;nt vz;/132-1y; bjd;fpHf;F gFjpia Rl;of;fhl;o ,e;j ,lj;jpy; Kjypy; ntiyia Muk;gpa[';fs; vd;W brhy;yp ntiyahl;fisj; J}z;odhh;fs;/ bre;jpy;FkhUk;. Rnu&;FkhUk; rh;nt vz;/132-1?y; cs;s vy;iyf; fw;fis gpL';fp https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Rj;jk; bra;a[';fs; vd;W brhd;dt[ld;. rPdpthrDk;10
ghyRg;gpukzpaDk; MSf;bfhU flg;ghiw kz;btl;oia vLj;Jf; bfhz;L rh;nt vz;/132-1?y; cs;s vy;iyf; fw;fis gpL';fp mg;g[wg;gLj;jpdhh;fs;/ mth;fSf;F bre;jpy;FkhUk;. Rnu&;FkhUk; vy;iyf; fw;fis gpL';f cjtp bra;jhh;fs;/ gukrptk; me;j ,lj;jpy; epd;w bghf;iyd; ,ae;jpuj;ij vLj;J te;jhh;/ gHdpr;rhkpa[k.; gof;fhRt[k; rh;nt vz;/132-1?iar; Rl;of;fhl;o me;j gFjpapy; cs;s nky;kz;iz ms;sp Rj;jk; bra;a brhd;dhh;fs;/ gukrptk; mth;fs; Rl;of; fhl;oa gFjpia Rj;jk; bra;jhh;/ Rj;jk; bra;j ,l';fspy; KUnfrDk;. bja;nte;jpuDk; MSf;bfhU nlg;gig gpoj;J mse;J fpuhidl; fw;fis vLf;f khh;f; bfa;jhh;fs;/ khh;f; bfa;j ,l';fspy; re;JUt[k; fnzrDk; nrh;e;J ohpy;yp'; kpc&pdhy; Jis nghl;lhh;fs;/ mg;nghJ ehDk; ghz;oa[k; m';fpUe;j gof;fhR. gHdpr;rhkp kw;Wk; mtuJ kfd;fs; bre;jpy;Fkhh;. Rnu&;Fkhh; Mfpanhh;fsplk; ,e;j ,lk; muRf;F brhe;jkhd kiyg;g[wk;nghf;F ,lkhr;nr ,e;j ,lj;ij muR ,y;yhky; nrjg;gLj;JfpwPh;fns vd;W nfl;ljw;F nkw;go egh;fs; c';fs; ntiyiag; ghh;j;Jf;fpl;L ngh';ifah. eh';fs; muR mDkjp bgw;Wjhd; bra;fpnwhk; vd;W kpul;og; ngrpdhh;fs;/ gof;fhR. gHdpr;rhkp. bre;jpy;Fkhh;. Rnu&;Fkhh;. bja;nte;jpud; Mfpnahh;fs; Jis nghl;l ,l';fspy; fnzrid bto btof;f brhy;yp J}z;odhh;fs;/ fnzrd; Jis nghl;l ,l';fspy; bto kUe;Jfis epug;gp mUfpy; ,Ue;jth;fis js;spg; nghf;r brhy;yptpl;L btof;fr; bra;jhh;/ kw;wth;fs; fnzrd; bto btof;f cjtp bra;jdh;/ bto btoj;jt[ld; kpFe;j rj;jj;Jld; ga';fu J}rpfSk; Vw;gl;lJ/ md;W neukhfp tpl;ljhy; ehDk; ghz;oa[k; tPl;ow;F brd;W tpl;nlhk;/ kWehs; fhiyapy; ehDk; ghz;oa[k.; kPz;Lk; mt;tHpahfr; brd;w nghJ Kjy; ehs; ntiy bra;j midtUk; mnj ,lj;jpypUe;J ntiy bra;J bfhz;oUe;jhh;fs;/ rz;KfehjDk;. MWKfKk; btoj;Jg; gpst[gl;l https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis fpuhidl; fw;fis ,Uk;g[nuhg;ghy; fl;odhh;fs;/ g[fnHe;jp fpnud;11
Mg;gnul;lhuhf ,Ue;J n$hjpghRit cjtpf;F itj;Jf; bfhz;L ,Uk;g[ nuhg;ghy; fl;oa fpuhidl; fw;fis fpnud; K:yk; J}f;fp ma;ag;gd; bfhz;L te;j yhhpapy; J}f;fp Vw;wpdhh;fs;/ ma;ag;gd; fpuhidl; fw;fs; Vw;wpa yhhpia btspna bfhz;L brd;whh;/ ,t;tthwhf nkw;go egh;fs; midtUk; mth;fSila ntiyfis khwp khwpr; bra;J bjhlh;e;J gy ehl;fs; gy njjpfspy; rh;nt vz;/132-1?y; fpuhidl; fw;fis jpUl;Lj;jdkhf btl;o vLj;Jr; brd;wdh;/ ,ij eh';fs; gyKiw ghh;Js;nshk;/
9.The relevant portion in the statement of LW.8 is extracted hereunder:
2009?k; tUlk; ij bgh';fy; md;W fhiy 10/00 kzpiag; nghy ehDk; bghk;kk;gl;oiar; nrh;e;j fUg;g[k; v';f brhe;j ntiy fhuzkhf gof;fhR Fthhp gf;fkhfg; nghndhk;/ mg;nghJ gof;fhR Fthhpf;F. gof;fhRld; rPdpthrd;. ghyRg;gpukzpad; vd;w ghY. re;JU vd;w re;jh; Mfpnahh; xU fhhpYk;. gHdpr;rhkp. gHdpr;rhkpapd; kfd;fs; bre;jpy;Fkhh; Rnu!;Fkhh; Mfpnahh; XU fhhpYk;. gHdpr;rhkpapd mf;fh kfd;fs; KUnfrd; bja;nte;jpud; kw;bwhU fhhpYk; te;J rh;nt vz;/132-2?d; tlf;Fg; gFjpapy; ,w';fpdhh;fs;/ mg;nghJ Vw;fdnt m';fpUe;j RPP epWtdj;ijr; nrh;e;j nknd$h; rz;Kfehjd;. bghJ nkyhsh; MWKfk;. thfd bghWg;ghsh; ma;ag;gd;. fpnud; bghWg;ghsh; g[fnHe;jp. bghf;iyd; bghWg;ghsh; gukrptk;. Fthhp nk!;jphp n$hjpghR. bto itf;Fk; fnzrd; Mfpnahh;fs; fpnud;. bghf;iyd'. fk;g;urh; Mfpa ,ae;jpu';fSld; ,th;fspd; tUif;fhf fhj;jpUe;jdh;/ mg;nghJ gof;fhRt[k; gHdpr;rhkpa[k; m';fpUe;jth;fisg; ghh;j;J ehk Fj;jif chpkk; bgw;w ,lj;jpw;F mUfpy; tlf;Fg; gf;fk; cs;s rh;nt vz;/132-1 kiyg;g[gwk;nghf;F gFjpapy; ey;y jukhd fpuhidl; fw;fs; cs;sJ/ Mifahy; me;j ,lj;jpy; fw;fisj; njhz;o tpw;why; ekf;F ey;y yhgk; fpilf;Fk; vd;W brhy;yp. vJte;jhYk; ghh;;j;Jf; bfhs;syhk; vd;W Tog;ngrp ekf;F yhgk; fpilj;jhy; rhpjhd; vd;W brhy;yp https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis gof;fhR. gHdprr; hkp. bre;jpy;Fkhh;. Rnu&;Fkhh;. Rpdpthrd;.12
ghyRg;gpukzpad @ ghY. KUnfrd;. bja;nte;jpud;. gukrptk;. re;JU @ re;jh;. fnzrd;. rz;Kfehjd;. MWKfk;. g[fnHe;jp. n$hjpad;. ma;ag;gd; Mfpa vy;nyhUk; Fj;jif chpkk; bgw;w ,lj;jpw;F mUfpy; tlf;Fg; gf;fk; cs;s muR kiyg;g[wk;nghf;F rh;nt vz;/132-1?y; mj;JkPwp JiHe;jhh;fs;/ gHdpr;rhkpa[k;. gof;fhRt[k; rh;nt vz;/132-1y; bjd;fpHf;F gFjpia Rl;of;fhl;o ,e;j ,lj;jpy; Kjypy; ntiyia Muk;gpa[';fs; vd;W brhy;yp ntiyahl;fisj; J}z;odhh;fs;/ bre;jpy;FkhUk;. Rnu&;FkhUk; rh;nt vz;/132-1?y; cs;s vy;iyf; fw;fis gpL';fp Rj;jk; bra;a[';fs; vd;W brhd;dt[ld;. rPdpthrDk; ghyRg;gpukzpaDk; MSf;bfhU flg;ghiw kz;btl;oia vLj;Jf; bfhz;L rh;nt vz;/132-1?y; cs;s vy;iyf; fw;fis gpL';fp mg;g[wg;gLj;jpdhh;fs;/ mth;fSf;F bre;jpy;FkhUk;. Rnu&;FkhUk; vy;iyf; fw;fis gpL';f cjtp bra;jhh;fs;/ gukrptk; me;j ,lj;jpy; epd;w bghf;iyd; ,ae;jpuj;ij vLj;J te;jhh;/ gHdpr;rhkpa[k;. gof;fhRt[k; rh;nt vz;/132-1?iar; Rl;of;fhl;o me;j gFjpapy; cs;s nky;kz;iz ms;sp Rj;jk; bra;a brhd;dhh;fs;/ gukrptk; mth;fs; Rl;of; fhl;oa gFjpia Rj;jk; bra;jhh;/ Rj;jk; bra;j ,l';fspy; KUnfrDk;. bja;nte;jpuDk; MSf;bfhU nlg;gig gpoj;J mse;J fpuhidl; fw;fis vLf;f khh;f; bfa;jhh;fs;/ khh;f; bfa;j ,l';fspy; re;JUt[k; fnzrDk; nrh;e;J ohpy;yp'; kpc&pdhy; Jis nghl;lhh;fs;/ mg;nghJ ehDk; ghz;oa[k; m';fpUe;j gof;fhR. gHdpr;rhkp kw;Wk; mtuJ kfd;fs; bre;jpy;Fkhh;. Rnu&;Fkhh; Mfpanhh;fsplk; ,e;j ,lk; muRf;F brhe;jkhd kiyg;g[wk;nghf;F ,lkhr;nr ,e;j ,lj;ij muR ,y;yhky; nrjg;gLj;JfpwPh;fns vd;W nfl;ljw;F nkw;go egh;fs; c';fs; ntiyiag; ghh;j;Jf;fpl;L ngh';ifah. eh';fs; muR mDkjp bgw;Wjhd; bra;fpnwhk; vd;W kpul;og; ngrpdhh;fs;/ gof;fhR. gHdpr;rhkp. bre;jpy;Fkhh;. Rnu&;Fkhh;. bja;nte;jpud; Mfpnahh;fs; Jis nghl;l ,l';fspy; fnzrid bto btof;f brhy;yp J}z;odhh;fs;/ fnzrd; Jis nghl;l ,l';fspy; bto kUe;Jfis epug;gp mUfpy; ,Ue;jth;fis js;spg; nghf;r brhy;yptplL ; btof;fr; bra;jhh;/ kw;wth;fs; fnzrd; bto btof;f cjtp bra;jdh;/ bto btoj;jt[ld; kpFe;j rj;jj;Jld; ga';fu J}rpfSk; Vw;gl;lJ/ md;W neukhfp https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis tpll; jhy; ehDk; ghz;oa[k; tPlo; w;F brd;W tpl;nlhk;/ kWehs;13
fhiyapy; ehDk; ghz;oa[k;. kPzL ; k; mt;tHpahfr; brd;w nghJ Kjy;
ehs; ntiy bra;j midtUk; mnj ,lj;jpypUe;J ntiy bra;J bfhz;oUe;jdh;/ rz;KfehjDk;. MWKfKk; btoj;Jg; gpst[gl;l fpuhidl; fw;fis ,Uk;g[nuhg;ghy; fl;odhh;fs;/ g[fnHe;jp fpnud; Mg;gnul;lhuhf ,Ue;J n$hjpghRit cjtpf;F itj;Jf; bfhz;L ,Uk;g[ nuhg;ghy; fl;oa fpuhidl; fw;fis fpnud; K:yk; J}f;fp ma;ag;gd; bfhz;L te;j yhhpapy; J}f;fp Vw;wpdhh;fs;/ ma;ag;gd;
fpuhidl; fw;fs; Vw;wpa yhhpia btspna bfhz;L
brd;whh;/ ,t;tthwhf nkw;go egh;fs; midtUk; mth;fSila
ntiyfis khwp khwpr; bra;J bjhlh;e;J gy ehl;fs; gy njjpfspy; rh;nt vz;/132-1?y; fpuhidl; fw;fis jpUl;Lj;jdkhf btl;o vLj;Jr; brd;wdh;/ ,ij eh';fs; gyKiw ghh;Js;nshk;/
10.A careful reading of the statements of LW.2, LW.7 and LW.8 shows that they have parroted the same words without any change, while giving their statements to the Investigation Officer u/s.161(3) Cr.PC. All the three witnesses speak about the incident that took place in the year 2009. It is quite surprising that the prosecution merely went by the statements made by these three witnesses, without investigating certain fundamental facts. Admittedly, the illegal quarry had taken place at Survey No.132/1. A case was also registered in this regard in Crime No.142/2013. In this case, the petitioner was shown as a witness and his statement was recorded u/s 161 (3) Cr.PC., by the Investigation Officer. In the said statement, the petitioner had informed the Investigation Officer that he has already sold the patta lands in Survey No.133/2 in favour of Deivendran - A8. The said Deivendran has been ranked as A.14 in that case.
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11.It is not the case of the prosecution that the illegal quarry operation happened in Survey No.133/2. Hence, the petitioner having sold this property to Deivendran - A8 as early as in the year 2004 itself, and he thereafter encroaching upon Survey No.132/1 by instigating and conspiring to do illegal quarry, defies common sense and it is based on absolutely no materials. This is more so, since the petitioner was actually a witness in the case that was registered for the illegal quarry that took place in Survey No.132/1. The prosecution has proceeded further with a fertile imagination that the petitioner has instigated and abetted the commission of crime by illegally quarrying in Survey No.132/1. There is absolutely no evidence to show that the petitioner was involved in any forgery or the petitioner had wrongfully gained out of the illegal quarry and thereby cheated the Government. In the light of the final report that has been filed in Crime No.142/2013, by no stretch, the petitioner can be made as an accused subsequently in the year 2015 with almost the same set of facts. On carefully going through the records, it is seen that the V.A.O and the Village Assistant have given statements during the investigation in Crime No.142/2013 and they have parroted the very same allegations by merely changing the names and the petitioner was also roped in this case.
12.There is absolutely not even a scrap of evidence against the petitioner to substantiate the charges of conspiracy and abetment and the https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis 15 continuation of the proceedings against the petitioner, will clearly amount to abuse of process of Court. Hence, this Court has absolutely no hesitation to interfere with the proceedings insofar as the petitioner is concerned and quash the same.
13.In the result, the proceedings in Special S.C.No.4/2021, pending on the file of the Special Court, to deal with the offences relating to Mines and Minerals, Madurai, is quashed insofar as the petitioner/A1 is concerned.
14.Accordingly, this criminal original petition stands allowed. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed.
26.04.2023
Internet : Yes
Index : Yes
Speaking Order:Yes
Neutral Citation :Yes
KP
.
To
1.The Deputy Superintendent of Police
District Crime Branch
Madurai District.
2.The Additional Public Prosecutor,
Madurai Bench of Madras High Court,
Madurai.
https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis
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N. ANAND VENKATESH,. J
KP
Pre-Delivery Order in
CRL.OP (MD).No.9412 of 2019
26.04.2023
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