Authority: Madras High Court, Madurai Bench

Order Date: 17 August 2026

Case Overview

  • Parties: Petitioner/Accused No.1 – Karuppasamy; Respondent/Complainant – State of Tamil Nadu represented by the Inspector of Police, Vilathikulam Police Station, Tuticorin District.
  • Crime Details: Crime No.345 of 2026 filed by the respondent police. Offences under Section 303(2) of the Barren and Sand (BNS) Act, 2023 and Section 21(1) of the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation (MMDR) Act, 1957.
  • Allegation: On 28 June 2026 at approximately 06:15 a.m., the petitioner allegedly illegally transported ¼ unit of river sand valued at about Rs.2,000 in a bullock cart without any valid permission.
  • Legal Representation: Petitioner represented by Advocate Mayil Vahana Rajendran; Respondent represented by Mr. N. Balasubramanian, Counsel for the State of Tamil Nadu (Criminal Side).
  • Court Observations: The petitioner has no prior bad antecedents. The prosecution’s case is based on the alleged illegal transport of river sand.

Final Outcome

  • The Court, considering the nature of the charges and the petitioner’s clean antecedent record, granted bail with the following conditions:
  • Bond: Execution of a bond for Rs.25,000 (Rupees Twenty‑Five Thousand only) with two sureties each for an equal amount, satisfactory to the Judicial Magistrate, Vilathikulam.
  • Surety Requirements: Sureties must affix photographs and left thumb impressions on the bond; the Magistrate may verify identity via Aadhaar card or bank passbook.
  • Monetary Deposit: The petitioner must pay Rs.2,500 (Rupees Two Thousand Five Hundred only) to the credit of the District Mineral Foundation Trust, Thoothukudi District, before trial court proceedings, and execute the sureties upon receipt of this amount.
  • Reporting: The petitioner must report daily to the respondent police at 10:30 a.m. for a period of thirty (30) days and thereafter as required for interrogation.
  • Conduct Restrictions: The petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witnesses, nor abscond during investigation or trial.
  • Breach Consequences: Violation of any condition empowers the learned Magistrate/Trial Court to take appropriate action as if the bail conditions were imposed by the Magistrate, following the precedent set in P.K. Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005) AIR SCW 5560].
  • Further Legal Action: If the accused absconds, a fresh FIR may be registered under Section 269 of the BNS Act, 2023.

Topics: Bail, Criminal Procedure, Mining Regulation