Nanthakumar @ Mulukkan v. The State Of Tamilnadu, Rep. By The Inspector Of Police,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Date : 15.09.2025 PRESENT The HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY CRL OP(MD)No.15047 of 2025 Nanthakumar @ Mulukkan ... Petitioner Vs.

The State of Tamil Nadu, Represented by the Forest Ranger, Rajapalayam Forest Range, Mehamalai Tiger Sanctuary, Virudhunagar District.

(W.L.O.R.No.04 of 2024) ... Respondent For Petitioners : Mr.D.Rajaboopathy For Respondent : Mr.S.S.Manoj Government Advocate(crl.side) PETITION FOR ANTICIPATORY BAIL Under Sec.482 of BNSS PRAYER :- For Anticipatory Bail in W.L.O.R.No.04 of 2024 on the file of the respondent police.

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ORDER: The Court made the following order :- The petitioner, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Sections 2 (14, 16, 20, 25(b), 26, 35, 36, 37), 9, 27, 31, 39, 50, 51 and 57 of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 in W.L.O.R.No.04 of 2024, on the file of the respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail.

2.The case of the prosecution is that a camera was installed in Pulpathi Peet Reserve Forest Area to watch the movements of elephants. On 23.05.2024, when the Forest Officer checked the footage, they found that the petitioner along with other accused personally hunted a moose and took it away. Hence, the case.

3.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in this case and he has not committed any offences as alleged by the prosecution. Hence, he seeks anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

4.The learned Government Advocate(crl.side) appearing for the 2/4

respondent submitted that this is the fifth application filed by the petitioner and the offences committed by the petitioner are serious in nature. Hence, he opposed for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 5.Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, this Court directs the petitioner to surrender before the learned Judicial Magistrate, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar District and submit a bail application. On such application, the learned Judicial Magistrate shall consider the same on its merits and in accordance to law on the same day.

6.With the above said directions, the criminal original petition is disposed of.

15.09.2025 cp To 1.The Judicial Magistrate, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar District.

2.The Forest Ranger, Rajapalayam Forest Range, Mehamalai Tiger Sanctuary, Virudhunagar District.

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S.SRIMATHY,J cp 3.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench Of Madras High Court, Madurai.

ORDER

IN CRL OP(MD) No.15047 of 2025 Date : 15.09.2025 4/4