Allowed

J.Sampath v. the State Rep by Its

Madras HC22 Jun 2020CRL OP/9129/2020

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The court granted bail petitions filed by J. Sampath in a criminal conspiracy case under the IPC, noting he was in judicial custody for 123 days without a final charge sheet. Relying on Section 167(2) Cr.P.C. and Supreme Court precedents, the court ordered release on bail with strict conditions regarding sureties and reporting.

What did the court decide?

Petitioner directed to be released on bail by executing his own bond of Rs. 10,000 and executing two sureties for Rs. 10,000 each before the learned Metropolitan Magistrate by 22.07.2020.

J.Sampath Vs the State Rep by Its — Corruption | Madras HC (2020)

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

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Dated : 22.06.2020

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CORAM :

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THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA

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Crl.O.P.No.9129 of 2020

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J.Sampath

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/versus/

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State rep. by The Inspector of Police, CBCID Metro Wing-II, Egmore, Chennai – 600 008, Crime No.4 of 2020.

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... Respondent

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Prayer: Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 439 of Criminal Procedure Code, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No.4 of 2020 on the file of the Inspector of Police, CBCID Metro Wing-II, Egmore, Chennai – 600 008.

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For Petitioner : Mr.G.Mohana Krishnan For Respondent : Mr.K.Prabhakar, Addl Public Prosecutor

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ORDER

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(The case has been heard through video conference)

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The petitioner who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 20.02.2020 in Cr.No.4 of 2020 which was registered by the respondent for the alleged offence punishable under Sections 120-A, 120-B, 121 of I.P.C read with Section 464, 466, 468, 470, 471, 481, 482, 484, 485, 487, 488, 420 and 465 of IPC and later altered to offences under sections 120-B, 420, 465, 468 and 471 of Indian Penal Code, seeks bail.

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2.The ground raised by the petitioner is that he was arrested on 20.02.2020 and till date final report has not been filed by the respondent/police despite the lapse of 123days and thereby the petitioner is entitled for bail by default as contemplated under Section 167(2) Cr.PC. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is prepared to furnish adequate securities for his release on bail.

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3.The learned Additional Public Prosecutor would vehemently oppose stating that the petitioner is an accused in the TNPSC scam. https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ The petitioner and other accused conspired together and committed

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fraud by tampering of records in the selection process in Group IV examination conducted by the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission. He would submit that the investigation is pending and would oppose for grant of bail.

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Heard both sides.

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The petitioner was arrested on 20.02.2020 and he is in incarceration for 123days. The respondent/police have not filed final report till date. As per mandate of Section 167(2) Cr.PC, the petitioner is entitled to mandatory bail.

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The Hon'ble Supreme Court in Crl.A.No.452 of 2020 dated 19.06.2020 in the case of S.Kasi v. State through the Inspector of Police, Samaynallur Police Station, Madurai District while referring to the earlier decisions regarding default bail has held hereunder :

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“ 14. The scheme of Code of Criminal Procedure as noticed above clearly delineates that provisions of Section 167 of Code of Criminal Procedure gives due regard to the personal liberty of a person. Without submission of charge sheet within 60days or 90days as may be applicable, an accused cannot be detained by the Police. The provision gives due recognition to the personal liberty ”.

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7.In view of the above, the petitioner is directed to be released on bail subject to the following conditions:

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(a) Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on executing his own bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees ten thousand only), before the Superintendent of the concerned prison, in which the petitioner has been confined on his release;

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(b) Thereafter, the petitioner shall execute two sureties for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees ten thousand only) each, before the learned Metropolitan Magistrate, CCB/CBCID, Egmore, Chennai, on or before 22.07.2020, failing which the bail granted by this Court shall stand dismissed automatically;

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(c) the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the surety bond and the learned Magistrate may obtain a copy of their Aadhar card or Bank pass Book to ensure their identity;

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(d) the petitioner shall report before the respondent police as and when required for interrogation.

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(e) the petitioner to furnish the correct address along with mobile number to the Investigating Officer and to the concerned Court.

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(f)the petitioner shall not commit any offences of similar nature;

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(g) the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ or trial;

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(h) the petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial;

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(i) on breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Judicial 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 himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005)AIR SCW 5560];

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(j) if the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229A IPC.

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8 . With the above directions, this Criminal Original Petition is ordered.

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-sd/-

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22/06/2020

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This order, on being produced, be punctually observed and carried into execution by all concerned

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TRUE COPY