P.Pon Ilangovan v. The Forest Ranger Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 14/06/2023 PRESENT The Hon`ble Mr.Justice G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN

1. P.Pon Ilangovan

2. V.Balu

3. V.Malaiyarasan

4. A.Krishnan

5. M.Pandiyarajan ... Petitioners/Accused 1,2,3,4,5 Vs State Rep.by The Forest Ranger Officer, Rajapalayam Forest Range, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar District (WLOR No.02 of 2023).

... Respondent/Complainant For Petitioners : M/s.Bhagavath Singh G, Advocate.

For Respondent : Mr.R.M.Anbunithi, Additional Public Prosecutor PETITION FOR BAIL Under Sec.439 of Cr.P.C.

PRAYER :- To release the petitioner on bail in WLOR No.2/2023, pending investigation on the file of the respondent ORDER : The Court made the following order :- The petitioners /A1 to A5 who were arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 17.04.2023 for the offences under section Tamil Nadu Forest Act V section 21(d),(f),(h),51 and sections 2, 9, 27, 29, 31, 32,39,50,51 of Wild life Protection Act , 1972 and section 25(1-A) of Arms Act in WLOR No.2 of 2023 on the file of the respondent police seek bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioners along with other accused had hunted and eaten wild animals in the forest area, hence the case.

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3. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record including the First Information Report.

4. Taking into consideration the facts and submissions made by the learned counsels and also the period of incarceration this court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioners , subject to the following conditions:

[a] Accordingly, the petitioners are ordered to be released on bail on condition to execute a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only)each with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Rajapalayam and on further conditions that:

[b] 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. [c] the petitioners shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 A.M. for a period of two weeks and thereafter as and when required for interrogation.

[d] the petitioners shall not commit any offences of similar nature.

[e] the petitioners shall not abscond either during investigation or trial.

[f] the petitioners shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial.

[g] On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Judicial Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate action against the petitioners 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].

[h] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229A IPC.

sd/- 14/06/2023 / TRUE COPY / 14/06/2023 Sub-Assistant Registrar (C.S.) Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai - 625 023.

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TO 1 THE JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, RAJAPALAYAM.

2 DO THROUGH THE CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, VIRUDHUNAGAR DISTRICT AT SRIVILLIPUTHUR.

3 THE OFFICER INCHARGE, DISTRICT PRISON, VIRUDHUNAGAR. 4 THE FOREST RANGER OFFICER, RAJAPALAYAM FOREST RANGE, RAJAPALAYAM, VIRUDHUNAGAR DISTRICT.

5 THE ADDITIONAL PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT, MADURAI.

+1 CC to M/s.G.BHAGAVATH SINGH, Advocate ( SR-8633[I] dated 14/06/2023 )

ORDER

IN CRL OP(MD) No.10321 of 2023 Date :14/06/2023 RS/VR/SAR-(14.06.2023) 3P 7C 3/3