The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court recently approved bail for an individual implicated in an illegal sand quarrying case. The condition for his release included a commitment to contribute Rs. 2,00,000 towards the construction of toilets in a government school.

In the order dated January 31, 2024, Justice M. Dhandapani's bench highlighted that the accused expressed his willingness to deposit the funds independently to the Panchayat Union Middle School in K.Nattapatti, Chellampatti Block, Usilampatti Taluk, Valandur Post, Madurai District, specifically for the construction of toilet facilities, aimed at enhancing the welfare of the students.

Considering this submission, the court granted bail to the accused with specific conditions. Alongside executing a bond worth Rs.10,000 with two sureties, each for an equivalent amount, to the satisfaction of the relevant court, the High Court instructed the accused to furnish evidence of the Rs. 2 lakh payment to the concerned court within a two-week period.

An individual named Anwar, also known as Anwar Raja or Chinnasamy, was arrested and subsequently remanded to judicial custody on December 27, 2023. The charges against him include offenses punishable under Section 379 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 21(5) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act.

The prosecution alleged that the petitioner and other accused were involved in the illegal quarrying of red soil. The Additional Public Prosecutor representing the police opposed the bail petition, citing that the accused had 13 prior cases registered against him. Despite this opposition, the court acknowledged the accused's undertaking and indicated its inclination to grant bail.