V A PANNEERSELVAM AND Vs. STATE AND

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners in all these applications are seeking anticipatory bail apprehending arrest in respect of a case in Crime No. 22/97 registered under Sections 409, 467 and 471 read with 34 and 109 I.P.C., on the basis of the complaint given by one Mr. G. Rajappa, Deputy Director of Sericulture, Government Anna Silk Exchange, Kancheepuram, with regard to the charge for misappropriation, falsification of accounts and forgery of documents.

(2.) The facts are these :- The Government of Tamil Nadu have sanctioned a scheme to open a Silk Exchange at Kancheepuram in G. O. Ms. No. 94 Handlooms, Handicrafts, Textiles and Khadi (G-II) Department, dated 14-3-1990. The raw silk produced in these areas is marketed through Tansilk which procures all silk at fixed price. In order to ensure competitive price in silk marketing, a Silk Exchange in the line of Bangalore Silk Exchange was thought of. The same has been decided to be located at Kancheepuram.

(3.) The location of Silk Exchange at Kancheepuram is justified due to arrival of raw and ready silk from the entire State of Kancheepuram and the availability of more twisters in and around Kancheepuram besides the existence of large number of silk handloom weavers both in co-operative societies and private sectors in Kancheepuram. This silk will not only provide marketing facility to reelers and twisters, but also will provide sufficient quantity of silk to all sectors dealing with the silk, thereby reducing the inflow of silk from other States. Therefore, in pursuance of the G. O. the Silk Exchange at Kancheepuram was established under the Administrative, Supervisory and Technical Control of the Assistant Director of Sericulture, Kancheepuram. The Deputy Director of Sericul-ture is solely responsible for the administration conduct of the silk business and day-do-day affairs of the Silk Exchange.