Thukkan v. The State Of Tamilnadu Rep. By The Forest Range Officer,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 16-12-2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE K. RAJASEKAR CRL OP NO.34372 of 2025 Thukkan ... Petitioner/ Accused Vs The State of Tamil Nadu rep. by, The Forest Range Officer, FRO Tirupattur.

(S.T.O.R. No.08 of 2025) ... Respondent PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to grant bail to the petitioner/accused in S.T.O.R. No.08 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioner(s) :

Mr. C. Palanisamy For Respondent(s) :

Mr. A. Gopinath Government Advocate (Crl. Side) ******* 1/4

ORDER

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 20.10.2025 for the offences punishable under Sections 35-(b)(d), 35-A & B(a), 41(1)(2)(3)(a)(b), 49-A(1)(2), 3(a)(b), 51, 56, 56-E of TNFA V Act, 1882 and Section 9-(a)(b) of TTR Rules, 1968 in S.T.O.R. No.08 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail. 2.

The case of the prosecution is that on 04.11.2025, based on a specific information, the police party conducted raid at Smart Shine Water Service Station in Tirupattur District and they found that the petitioner was involved in illegal transportation of 286 kilograms of red sandal wood in a car bearing Registration No.TN-29-AQ-3334. Hence, this case. 3.

The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in this case and he is in judicial custody since 20.10.2025; that the petitioner herein is only the driver of the said vehicle and he was not aware about the alleged red sandal wood; and that the petitioner is ready to abide by any condition that may be imposed by this Court, hence prays to grant bail to the petitioner. 4.

The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for 2/4

the respondent while opposing the bail to the petitioner reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that there are totally three accused involved in this case and the petitioner is arrayed as A1; that the co-accused are still absconding; and that the investigation of this case is pending. 5.

Considering the submissions made on both sides, gravity of offence, the co-accused are still absconding, taking note of the fact that the investigation of this case is pending and if the petitioner is enlarged on bail, there is possibility of tampering with the witnesses, hence this Court is not inclined to grant bail to the petitioner.

6.

Accordingly, this criminal original petition stands dismissed. 16.12.2025 stn K. RAJASEKAR, J.

3/4

stn To

1. The Forest Range Officer, FRO Tirupattur.

(S.T.O.R. No.08 of 2025)

2. The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

CRL OP NO.34372 of 2025 16.12.2025 4/4