Kumaresan v. The District Forest Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 08.04.2024 CORAM :

THE HON`BLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI Kumaresan ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The District Forest Officer O/o.The District Forest Office, Collectorate Campus, Dindigul.

2. The Forest Ranger O/o.The Forest Ranger, Madurai Road, Natham, Dindigul District.

3.The Forest Guard (Beat) Kanavaipatti Forest Office, Kanavaipatti and Post, Vembarpatti Via., Dindigul East Taluk, Dindigul District.

... Respondents Prayer : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, to direct the 3rd Respondent Police to not to harass the petitioner and his family members in any manner in the guise of enquiry based on the representation dated 01.04.2024. For Petitioner : Mr.V.Karuna For Respondents : Mr.T.Senthil Kumar Additional Public Prosecutor 1/4

O R D E R

The petitioner, who is a farmer, has approached this Court that the respondents are harassing him and his family members, under the guise of enquiry.

2. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor submits that this petitioner without knowing the consequence, has taken the stick from the forest area, which according to them, is an offence and therefore, this petitioner was called for an enquiry. The petitioner without appearing for enquiry, has approached this Court.

3. This Court considered the rival submissions made and the materials placed on record.

4. It appears that this petitioner - farmer without knowing the consequence, has taken some sticks from the forest area. The learned counsel for the petitioner has to appraise the petitioner about the position of law that he should not enter into the forest area. The respondent police shall also consider the plight of the petitioner that he is a farmer and he has not committed any mischief, his ignorance and he may be warned and left without registering any case.

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5. The petitioner is directed to appear before the respondent police on 22.04.2024 and also execute a bond that he will not indulge in such act and also give an undertaking that hereafter, he will not enter into the forest area and he will not take even the broken sticks.

6. With the above directions, this Criminal Original Petition is disposed of.

08.04.2024 Index : Yes/No Internet:Yes NCC : Yes/No LS To

1. The District Forest Officer O/o.The District Forest Office, Collectorate Campus, Dindigul.

2. The Forest Ranger O/o.The Forest Ranger, Madurai Road, Natham, Dindigul District.

3.The Forest Guard (Beat) Kanavaipatti Forest Office, Kanavaipatti and Post, Vembarpatti Via., Dindigul East Taluk, Dindigul District.

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B.PUGALENDHI,J LS

4. The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

Order made in 08.04.2024 4/4