ORDER

Dated this the 06^th day of November, 2025 The petitioner is the accused in C.C.No.566/2021 on the file of the Court of the Judicial First Class Magistrate, Sulthan Bathery (‘Trial Court’, in short), which has arisen from Crime No.1098/2020 registered by the Meenangadi Police Station, Wayanad, alleging the commission of the offences punishable under Sections 418, 427, 465, 468, 471 and 477A of the Indian Penal Code.

2. The crux of the prosecution allegation is that, the petitioner, who was the Chairman of the renovation committee of Manikavu Mahadeva Temple, with an intention to misappropriate money from the devotees, printed different types of receipt books without the knowledge of the Malabar Devaswom Board and made unlawful gain. He also cut and removed 400 cubic feet of Ayani tree standing in the property. Thus the petitioner has committed the above offences.

3. I have heard the learned Counsel for the petitioner and the learned Public Prosecutor.

4. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that, even if the allegations in Annexure A2 final report are taken on their face value, the same will not constitute the offences charged against the petitioner. There is no material