ORDER

This application is filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita , 2023 (for short, BNSS )

seeking regular bail.

2. The applicants are the accused Nos. 1 to 11 in Wild Life Offence Report (KDT) No.1/2026 of Kadmat Forest Range, Lakshadweep. The offences alleged are punishable under Sections 9 , 39(1)(a), 39(1)(b), 39(1)(d), 48A, 50, 51(1), 51(1)A and 56 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act , 1972 (for short, the ).

3. The prosecution case, in short, is as follows: The Forester, Officer in Charge, (Kadmat Forest Range) Department of Environment and Forest noticed fishing boat named 'Saffreena-2' operating nearby and parallel to Palliayachaal at south-east side of Kadmat Island. Upon enquiry among the 11 crew members on the boat, ten were of mainland and one from Kiltan Island. Among them, Mr. Anto was on bail in WLOR (Kvt) No. 2/2023. They failed to produce valid permit or crew list. The Forester reported it to the Fisheries Department, Station House Officer of Kadmat Police Station, the team reached the spot and conducted search in the vessel. They found Bottlenose Wedgefish and a Bowmouthed Guitarfish in the freezer containing about 1.5 tones of fish in co