IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU

DATED THIS THE 6^TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2025

BEFORE

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR

CRIMINAL PETITION No. 10263 OF 2025 (438(Cr.PC) /

482(BNSS))

BETWEEN:

1. GOVINDA

S/O RAJU

AGED ABOUT 47 YEARS

RESIDIGN AT KALLIKOPPALU VILLAGE K SHETTA HALLI HOBALI MARALAGALA

SRIRANGAPATNA TALUK

MANDYA -571 807.

…PETITIONER

(BY SRI. RAJU C N, ADVOCATE)

Digitally signed by AND:

LAKSHMINARAYANA

MURTHY RAJASHRI

1. STATE BY RANGE FOREST OFFICER

Location: HIGH

COURT OF SRIRANGAPATNA TALUK MANDYA

KARN ATAKA

REPRESENTED BY SPP

HIGH OCURT OF KARNATAKA

BANGALORE - 560 001.

…RESPONDENT

(BY SRI.CHANNAPPA ERAPPA, HCGP)

THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 438 CR.PC (FILED

U/S 482 BNSS) PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE PETITIONER ON ANTICIPATORY BAIL IN THE EVENT OF HIS ARREST IN FOC No.02/2025-26 OF THE RANGE FOREST OFFICER SRIRANGAPATNA, MANDYA, FOR THE OFFENCES PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTION 24-C [ii], E, 84 AND 86 OF THE KARNATAKA

FOREST ACT 1963. BY ALLOWING THIS PETITION.

THIS PETITION COMING ON FOR ORDERS THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR

ORAL ORDER

This petition is filed by the petitioner -accused No.2 under Section 482 of BNSS praying to grant anticipatory bail in FOC No.2/2025-26 of Range Forest Officer, Srirangapatna registered for offences under Section 24-C (ii) e, 84 and 86 of Karnataka Forest Act, 1963.

2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned High Court Government Pleader for the respondent –State.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner would contend that the name of the petitioner -accused No.2 came to be inserted as per statement of accused No.1 who was caught on the spot. The investigation is already over. The petitioner is ready to abide by any terms and conditions to be imposed by this Court. There are no criminal antecedents of the petitioner. The offence alleged against the petitioner is not punishable either with death or imprisonment for life. With this, he prays to allow the petition.

4. Per contra, learned High Court Government Pleader for the respondent -State would contend that 8.950 kilograms of sandalwood billets have been seized and accused No.1 is caught red handed. The petitioner has ran away from the spot. The name of the petitioner has been disclosed by accused no. 1 and his place of residence is also shown by him. The offence alleged against the petitioner is punishable with imprisonment for 10 years. The charge sheet is filed. The petitioner is shown as absconding in the charge sheet. With this, he prayed to reject the petition.

5. Having heard learned counsels, this Court has perused FIR, complaint and other matters placed on record.

6. The complainant and others who were on duty, heard a sound of cutting of trees on 09.06.2025 at about

11a.m. and they went to the place and accused persons were trying to escape from the spot. They secured accused No.1 and another person absconded. The accused No.1 told that they have cut sandalwood and showed 29 sandalwood billets and they were tied in a cloth and material used for cutting the sandalwood billets have been seized. The name of this petitioner has been disclosed by accused No.1 as the person who ran away from the spot. It is submitted that accused No.1 who has been arrested has been granted bail. Learned High Court Government Pleader submits that charge sheet has been filed. As the charge sheet has been filed, the petitioner is not required for custodial interrogation. The offences alleged against the petitioner are not punishable either with death or imprisonment for life. The petitioner is not having any criminal antecedents. Considering the above aspects, the petitioner has made out case for grant of anticipatory bail with conditions.

7. In the result, the following ORDER i) The petition is allowed.

ii) The petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of his arrest in FOC No. 2/2025-26 of Range Forest Officer, Srirangapatna subject to following conditions;

a) The petitioner –accused