The learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the petitioners have come forward with this petition seeking for a direction to the learned Principal Sessions Judge -cum- Special Judge for P.C.R. Cases, Madurai, to accept the surrender of the petitioners and consider the bail application on merits on the same day of their surrender, in Crime No.178 of 2017 pending on the file of the respondent police.
2. The learned counsel for the petitioners also submits that the petitioners have been implicated in this case for the alleged offences under
Sections 294(b),323 and
506(i) of the Indian Penal Code r/w Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015 and that in view of the specific bar under
Section 18 of the said Act, the petitioners cannot move any anticipatory bail application and therefore, the petitioners have come forward with the said prayer.
3. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal side) takes notice for the respondents.
4. Considering the submissions of both sides and also considering the nature of the prayer in this case, in view of the specific bar under Section 18 of the S.C. & S.T. (Prevention of Atrocities) Act that the petitioners cannot move any anticipatory bail, the petitioners are directed to surrender before the learned Principal Sessions Judge -cum- Special Judge for P.C.R. Cases, Madurai, in respect of Crime No.178 of 2017 on the file of the respondent police, within two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and on the petitioners' surrender and filing bail application in Crime No.178 of 2017, the learned Principal Sessions Judge -cum- Special Judge for P.C.R. Cases, Madurai, in turn, is directed to accept their surrender and consider their bail application on merits and in accordance with law on the same day.
5. With the above direction, this petition is disposed of.
To
1.The Principal Sessions Judge -cum-
Special Judge for P.C.R. Cases, Madurai.
2.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Usilampatti, Madurai District.
3.The Inspector of Police, Usilampatti Town Police Station, Madurai District.
4.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai..