Rani @ Lakshmi, v. State Of Tamilnadu Rep By The Forest Ranger, Thiruppathur

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 18.03.2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN CRL OP(MD)No.5617 of 2026 Rani @ Lakshmi ... Petitioner / Accused No.4

Versus

The State of Tamilnadu, Rep by the Forest Range Officer, Thirupathur Forest Officer, Thirupathur, Sivagangai District.

(W.L.O.R.No.1 of 2026) ... Respondent / Complainant PRAYER :-Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of the BNSS, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in the event of arrest in W.L.O.R.No.1 of 2026 on the file of the respondent or on her appearance.

For Petitioner :

Mr.D.R.Murugesan For Respondent :

Mr.M.Karunanithi, Government Advocate (Criminal Side) 1/6

ORDER : The Court made the following order :- The petitioner/accused, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police in W.L.O.R.No.1 of 2026 for the offence punishable under Sections 2(1),(15), 9, 39, 48, 50 and 51 of he Tamil Nadu Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 (Amendment Act 2023), seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that, on 06.03.2026, based on confidential information received from an unknown source, the respondent police conducted a raid at the residence of A1 and A2. During the raid, they found 13 grey slender lorises (devangu) confined in two iron cages. Hence, a case has been registered against the accused persons for the aforesaid offences.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is innocent and has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. He further submitted that the petitioner is willing to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court. It was also contended that the petitioner has been implicated in the case only on the 2/6

basis of the confession of the co-accused, who has already been enlarged on bail. Accordingly, he prayed for the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police submitted that the petitioner is also involved in the occurrence, and that the recovered slender lorises were purchased by A1 and A2 from the petitioner. Accordingly, he objected to the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

5. This Court heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials placed on record.

6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, and considering that the co-accused has already been arrested and released on bail, and also considering the fact that the petitioner is a woman, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner, subject to certain conditions.

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7. Accordingly, this petition is allowed and the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on her appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date on which the order made ready, before the learned District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate Court, Singampunari, 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 to the Police Officer, who intends to arrest or to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate concerned and on further conditions 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 their Aadhar card or Bank pass Book to ensure their identity;

(b) the petitioner shall appear and sign before the respondent daily at 10.30 a.m. for a period of 15 days and thereafter, as and when required for interrogation; (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;

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(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 petitioners 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]; and (f) if the accused thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS, 2023.

18.03.2026 pal To 1.The District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate Court, Singampunari.

2.The Forest Range Officer, Thirupathur Forest Officer, Thirupathur, Sivagangai District.

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

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K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN ,J.

pal

ORDER

IN CRL OP(MD) No.5617 of 2026 Date : 18.03.2026 6/6