V. Perumal v. The Forest Officer

Crl.O.P.No.10175 of 2023 K.KUMARESH BABU, J.

The petitioner, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Sections2(1)(16)c, 9, 39(1)(a)(d), 3(c), 50 & 51 of FRO Act, in Crime No.1 of 2023, seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner along with other accused consumed alcohol. A water snake bit the A-1 because of which he got angry and bit the head of the snake. A-2 took the video of the incident and uploaded it on the social media while the A-3 was stopping them. Hence, the complaint.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is no way connected with the alleged offence. He further submitted that the co-accused A-1 and A-3 are already released on bail. Hence, he prayed for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) would submit that the petitioner is accused for his misbehaviour after consuming alcohol. Hence he opposed for granting anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

5. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) for the respondent Police and perused the materials available on record.

6. Considering the above facts and circumstances of the case, the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner with certain conditions.

7. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on his appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date on which the order copy made ready, before the learned Judicial Magistrate-1, Arakkonam, on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand Only) with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the respondent police or the police officer who intends to arrest or to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate concerned, failing which, the petition for anticipatory bail shall stand dismissed and on further condition that: [a] the petitioner and the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the surety bond and the Magistrate may obtain a copy of his Aadhar card or Bank pass Book to ensure their identity;

[b] the petitioner shall report before the respondent police on every monday at 10:30 am, until further orders;

[c] the petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial;

[d] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial;

[e] On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate action against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioner released on bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005)AIR SCW 5560];

[f] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229A IPC.

17.05.2023 (Sha/Vrc)

K.KUMARESH BABU, J.

(Sha/Vrc) Crl.O.P.No.10175 of 2023 17.05.2023