JUDGMENT

Harnaresh Singh Gill, J.(Oral) - Through this petition, the petitioner seeks anticipatory bail in case bearing FIR No.61 dated 12.05.2022, registered at Police Station Nangal, District Rupnagar, under Sections 21(1) and 4(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (hereinafter referred to as the Act).

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner has falsely been implicated in the present case; that the petitioner is not the owner of Rana Stone Crusher and rather, the same is owned by one Gurnam Singh; that the petitioner was earlier working in the said crusher, which is now lying closed; that the petitioner was not found present at the spot at the time of the alleged raid and that no recovery was effected from the petitioner. He further submits that it is not possible that the petitioner could have done such act; that an NOC was given by the Pollution Control Board in favour of the Rana Store Crusher and that as per Section 21(1) of the Act, there is no provision for lodging an FIR and only a complaint can be filed and that too by the Mining Officer.

3. On the other hand, while opposing the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail to