Anticipatory bail under the SC/ST (POA) Act is precluded when there is prima facie evidence showing serious allegations against the accused.

JUDGMENT

Dated this the 25th day of August, 2023 This appeal has been filed under Section 14A of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, (hereinafter referred to as “the SC/ST (POA) Act” for convenience) at the instance of the 3rd accused in Crime No.703/2022 of Upputhara Police Station, Idukki where the prosecution alleges commission of offences punishable under Sections 120B, 167, 195, 204, 211, 341, 348, 465, 294(b), 506(i), 330 and 201 read with 34 of IPC as well as under Section 3(1)(P), 3(1) (S), 3(2)(i), 3(2)(i)(ii), 3(2)(vii) and 3(2)(va) of the SC/ST (POA) Act.

2. Heard the learned counsel for the appellant and the learned Public Prosecutor. Though notice was served upon the defacto complainant as mandated under Section 15 A(3) of the SC/ST (POA) Act and the learned Public Prosecutor placed memo showing service of notice, the defacto complainant did not appear.

3. The prosecution case runs on the premise that the accused, in their capacity as Forest officials, had inspected the autorickshaw of the second respondent at the Vanmavu Checkpost in Kizhukkanam Section of Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary at about 9.00 am on 20.09.2022. On inspection, the second respondent was found carrying wild animal meat in his autorickshaw. Thereupon, OR No.1 of 2022 was registered as per Form 1 and report submitted to the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Kattappana, alleging commission of offences under Sections 9, 2(16), 2(20), 51(1), 57, 39(1)(6) and 39(3) and Section 429 IPC r/w 34 IPC r/w Sec.56 of the Wild Life Protection Act and Section 61(A) of the Kerala Forest Act. Accordingly, the second respondent was arrested and later remanded to judicial custody till 03.10.2022. Thereafter, as per Annexure A8 order dated 26.09.2022, the custody of the second respondent was given to the Forest Officer for one day. The second respondent was later granted bail on 01.10.2022. The second respondent being a member of the Scheduled Tribe, the tribal leaders and political parties started agitations, alleging that the second respondent was falsely implicated in O.R.No.1/2022 and he was tortured by the forest officials. Much after the second respondent's release, Annexure A1 crime was registered against the appellant and twelve others. Even though appellant moved an application for regular bail before the Special Court, it was dismissed as per Annexure A6 order viz. order in Crl.M.C. No.628/2023 dated 07.08.2023. Now Annexure A6 order is under challenge in this appeal.

4. It is submitted submitted by the learned counsel for the appellant that initially the anticipatory bail plea at the instance of the appellant was dismissed by the Special Court. Thereafter the appellant along with accused Nos. 1, 2, 4 and 6 to 8 filed bail application vide Crl.A. No.817/2023 before this Court. While dismissing the anticipatory bail plea at the instance of accused Nos. 1 to 3, this Court granted anticipatory bail to accused Nos. 4, 6, 7 and 8 by Annexure.A3 order. It is submitted by the learned counsel for the appellant that there are change in circumstances since the investigation has been completed.

5. The learned Public Prosecutor opposed grant of bail and submitted that the investigation is going on where arrest and custodial interrogation of the appellant are necesssary. He also submitted that, this Court as per Annexure.A3 order already dismissed the earlier appeal filed by the appellant disallowing anticipatory bail at the instance of accused Nos. 1 to 3, since arrest and custodial interrogation of them are necessary in the facts of the given case. The petition filed for the second time for anticipatory bail before the Special Court after dismissal of the appeal arising from the 1st order is misconceived and the same could not be allowed. He also submitted that in this matter, the bar under Section 18 and 18A of the SC/ST (POA) Act would squarely apply.

6. Insofar as grant of anticipatory bail in crimes involving offences under t