Vijayakumar v. The State Rep. By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 01.12.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K.RAJASEKAR Crl.O.P.No.32689 of 2025

1. Vijayakumar

2. Murugan @ Murugesan ... Petitioners Vs.

The State Rep. by The Forest Range Officer, Vazhappadi Range, Salem District.

(STOR.No.6/2025) ... Respondent PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, to enlarge the Petitioner/Accused on bail in STOR No.6/2025 pending on the file of the respondent Police. For Petitioner :

Mr.Dasarathan Palanisamy For Respondent :

Ms.J.R.Archana Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

O R D E R

The petitioner herein apprehending arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offence punishable under Sections 21(d), (e), (f), 35(b) and 36(a) of Tamilnadu Forest Act, 1882 (No.5 of 1882) in STOR No.6 of 2025, registered on the file of the respondent, seeks anticipatory bail. 1/4

2. The case of the prosecution is that on 24.10.2025, while forest officials were on inspection, A1 was caught red-handed cutting sandalwood trees in the Thamaraipali forest, whereas the petitioners/A2 and A3 escaped. Investigation further revealed that the accused had trespassed into the forest on the previous day, cut and concealed the sandalwood trees, and returned to remove them, leading to seizure of sandalwood pieces valued at about Rs.1,02,000/-. Hence the case.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners have been arrayed as accused and that the properties have already been recovered. Hence, he prays to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.side) submitted that about 62 kgs of sandal wood was seized and that the petitioners are involved in a previous case of similar nature. Hence, he opposed to grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioners.

5. I have also gone through the statement of the arrested person, which reveals that all the three accused were involved in cutting sandalwood trees from the forest and that if anticipatory bail is granted, they are likely to indulge in similar activities.

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6. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is dismissed. 01.12.2025 kmm To

1. The Forest Range Officer, Vazhappadi Range, Salem District.

2.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

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K.RAJASEKAR, J.

kmm Crl.O.P.No.32689 of 2025 01.12.2025 4/4