P.Murthi @ Chinnarasa v. The State Of Tamil Nadu, Rep. By The Forest Range Officer,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT ( Criminal Jurisdiction ) Dated : 07.11.2025 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY P.Murthi @ Chinnarasa ... Petitioner vs.

The State of Tamil Nadu Represented by, The Forest Range Officer, Aundipatti Forest Range Office, Theni District.

(in W.L.O.R.No.4 of 2025) ... Respondent PETITION FOR ANTICIPATORY BAIL Under Sec.482 of BNSS PRAYER :- For Anticipatory Bail in W.L.O.R.No.4 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police For Petitioner :Mr.Gandhirajan For Respondent :Mr.S.S.Manoj Government Advocate (Crl.side) *****

O R D E R

The petitioner, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent for the offences punishable under Sections 2, 39, 40(1)(2), 1/4

49(A), 49B(1), 50, 51(1) and 57 of Wild Life Protection Amendment Act, in W.L.O.R.No.4 of 2025, on the file of the respondent, seeks anticipatory bail.

2.The case of the prosecution is that when the respondent along with his team was on patrol duty, the petitioner and the other accused persons were talking about Indian Pangolin Scales and at the time when the respondent team rounded up them, the petitioner escaped from there. Hence, the complaint.

3.The learned Counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an innocent person and he is no way connected with the alleged occurrence as stated by the prosecution. He further submitted that the petitioner is ready and willing to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he seeks anticipatory bail to the petitioner. 4.The learned Government Advocate (Crl.side) appearing for the respondent vehemently objected for granting anticipatory bail to the petitioner, as Indian Pangolin Scales were recovered from some of the 2/4

accused and all other accused were confiscated about the involvement of the petitioner herein. He further submits that all other accused were arrested and released on bail.

5.Taking into consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case and also the fact that the Indian Pangolin Scales are endangered species and also considering the nature of offence committed by the accused, this Court is not inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner. Hence, this Criminal Original Petition is dismissed. However, liberty is granted to the petitioner to surrender before the Court concerned and file an application for grant of bail. If any such application is filed by the petitioner, the same should be considered strictly in accordance with law.

07.11.2025 cmr To 1.The Forest Range Officer, Aundipatti Forest Range Office, Theni District. 2.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

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S.SRIMATHY, J.

cmr 07.11.2025 4/4