Bail Application No.584 of 2010 is filed by Accused Nos.1 to 4 in O.R.No.1 of 2010 of Vallakadavu Forest Range, Idukki District, while B.A. No.690 of 2010 is filed by Accused Nos.5 to 8 therein. The applications are filed under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal procedure.

2. The offences alleged against the accused are under Sections 2, 9, 39, 42, 44, 49, 49 B, 50, 51 and 57 of the Wild Life Protection Act.

3. The prosecution case is the following: On getting intelligence information that a leopard skin was being transported in the Jeep bearing registration number KL 02 C 6072, on 23-1-2010, Mundakkayam Forest Flying squad arrested accused Nos.1 to 4 (Ratheesh, Shamnad alias Sadique, Asokan and Afsal) while they were transporting a leopard skin. Apart from the leopard skin, a G.P.S. film rolls, batteries etc. were also found in a bag kept in the jeep.

4. Further investigation revealed that the leopard was trapped by accused Nos.1 and 5 to 8 by using a cable. The trap was laid by them near a trench in Rattington Valley Reserve in Periyar Tiger Reserve. On finding that a leopard was trapped, they killed the same by pelting heavy stones. The leopard was then kept concealed