Suneer v. State Rep By Forest Range Officer

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 29.10.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE K.RAJASEKAR Crl.O.P.Nos.29305 to 29307 of 2025 Suneer ... Petitioner in all Criminal Original Petitions Vs.

State rep. By.

Forest Range Officer, Kundha Forest Range, The Nigiris.

... Respondent in Crl.O.P.Nos.29305 & 29306 of 2025 State rep. By.

Forest Range Officer, Pandalur Forest Range, Pandalur, The Nigiris.

... Respondent in Crl.O.P.No.29307 of 2025 COMMON PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in the event of arrest in connection with W.L.O.R.No.1 of 2025 & W.L.O.R.No.2 of 2025 respectively on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioner : Mr.J.Franklin (In all Crl.O.Ps.) For Respondents : Mr.S.Udhayakumar Government Advocate (Crl. Side) (In all Crl.O.Ps.) 1/6

C O M M O N O R D E R The petitioner, who apprehend arrest at the hand of the respondent police for the alleged offences under Sections 9 and 51 of Wild life Protection Act, 1972 in W.L.O.R.No.2 of 2025 & Sections 9, 39 and 51 of Wild life Protection Act, 1972 in W.L.O.R.No.1 of 2025 & 9, 50, 51 and 52 of Wild life Protection Act, 1972 in W.L.O.R.No.2 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner alleged to have been found in illegal possession of 3 bullets, 2 knifes, 4 small wooden knife, 2 small saw, 2 helmet torch light and in car boot space there are 7 big size black covers. On enquiry the Accused No.1 have confessed that he and other co-accused have hunted the Indian Gaur on 10.02.2025 and also hunted sambar deer on 22.02.2025. Hence the case.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that originally this petitioner was implicated by a local police i.e. Devala Police Station in Crime No.28 of 2025 for the same offence, in which, he was also granted 2/6

anticipatory bail in Crl.O.P.No.19947 of 2025 dated 12.09.2025. Subsequently, the Forest Range Officer has registered the present three cases as if, the petitioner along with the arrested accused, involved in hunting in various places. He would submit that the petitioner has not committed any offence and he is ready abide by any conditions as may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prays to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that the investigation was completed and the petitioner is having previous case against him. Hence, he opposed to grant bail to the petitioner.

5. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record.

6. From the rival submissions it is seen that the though the petitioner is alleged to have involved in hunting of various animals, the FIR has been registered only for the offence of possessing various articles used for hunting. Further, the investigation has also been completed. Hence, I am 3/6

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 ten days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, before the learned Judicial Magistrate, Udhagamandalam & Judicial Magistrate, Pandalur respectively on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand Only) with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate concerned, and on further condition that:

[a] if the petitioner fails to surrender before the concerned Magistrate within a period of ten days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, this order shall stand automatically cancelled;

[b] the sureties shall affix his photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the Application for Surety ship [Judicial Form No.46 annexed to 'The Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019']. The learned Magistrate shall obtain a copy of any one of the identity proofs to ensure their identity;

[c] the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m., for a period of three weeks and thereafter as and when required for 4/6

interrogation;

[d] On breach of any of the aforementioned conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to pass appropriate orders against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the aforementioned 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)13 SCC 283];

[e] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of B.N.S. 29.10.2025 kmm To

1. The Judicial Magistrate, Udhagamandalam.

2. The Judicial Magistrate, Pandalur

3. The Forest Range Officer, Kundha Forest Range, The Nigiris.

4. Forest Range Officer, Pandalur Forest Range, Pandalur, The Nigiris.

5.The Public Prosecutor, 5/6

High Court of Madras.

K.RAJASEKAR , J.

kmm Crl.O.P.Nos.29305 to 29307 of 2025 6/6

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