4.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is the licensed Government Contractor and he had taken tender from the District Collector, Tirunelveli. Based on his tender dated 27.08.2020 for implementation of Jai Jeevan Mission 2019-2020 to provide functional household tap connection to the rural household in T.Ariyanayagipuram Village Panchayat in Cheranmahadevi Panchayat Union, Tirunelveli District. As per the contract, in order to make a sump worth about 1,00,000 Litres capacity OHT (1 Nos), the petitioner dig out some sand from the said place. Without even seeing the said work order and also the contract allotted in favour of the petitioner, the respondent and the other revenue officials harassed the petitioner under the guise of enquiry. In fact, the petitioner filed a petition before this Court in Crl.OP(MD)No.11708 of 2020 dated 14.10.2020 for not to harass. Only after filing this petition, the respondent registered the present case under Section 379 of IPC. Therefore, the petitioner has not indulged in any kind of offence under Mines and Minerals Act. Hence, he prayed for anticipatory bail to the petitioner.
