ORDER

This is an application for anticipatory bail.

2. The petitioner is the 6th accused in O.R.No.07 of 2021 of Ezhattumugam Forest Station, Thrissur District, alleging commission of offences under Sections 47 A, B (1), G(1), H of the Kerala Forest Act, 1961. The allegation against the petitioner is that he along with the other accused conspired together and cut down a sandal wood tree, standing on a private property at Melur Village of Chalakudy Taluk and thereby committed the offences alleged against them.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits primarily that the 1st accused in the case has already been granted anticipatory bail by the Sessions Court, Thrissur. It is submitted that the petitioner has been roped in as an accused in the case on the basis of a statement given by the 2nd accused. it is submitted that the statement of the 2nd accused does not show that the petitioner was part of the original conspiracy to cut and remove the sandal wood tree. It is submitted that going by the statement of the 2nd accused, the sandal wood tree which was cut and removed was stored in a property belonging to the petitioner and that is how, the petitioner has been arrayed as an ac