Gopinath v. The Intelligence Officer

ORDER The petitioners, who were arrested and remanded to judicial custody on

20.06.2026 for the alleged offences under Foreign Trade Policy, listed in Appendix II of CITES6 and protected under Schedule IV of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 in Crime No.241 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail. Page2 of 5

¶2The case of the prosecution is that the petitioners were found in illegal transportation of red sanders wood, specifically 102 logs weighing a total of 1,771.625 kgs, worth approximately Rs.1.21 crores. Hence, the case.

¶3The learned counsel for the petitioners would submit that the petitioners are innocent and have been falsely implicated in this case. He would further submit that the petitioner have been in judicial custody since 11.07.2026 and are ready to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prayed for the grant of bail.

¶4The learned Special Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent, while opposing the grant of bail to the petitioners, reiterated the prosecution's case. However, on instructions, he submitted that the petitioners have no criminal antecedents. He further submitted that if the petitioners are enlarged on bail, the absconding accused cannot be secured.

¶5I have given anxious consideration to the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side.

¶6Considering the submissions of the learned counsel for both sides, it is seen that this is a case of illegal transportation of red sanders wood, specifically 102 logs weighing a total of 1,771.625 kgs. However, considering the period of Page3 of 5 incarceration undergone by the petitioners since 20.06.2026, the fact that the 102 logs of red sanders wood have already been recovered and the absence of any criminal antecedents, this Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioners on bail, subject to certain conditions.

¶7Accordingly, the petitioners are ordered to be released on bail on their executing a separate bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty-Five Thousand only), with two sureties each for a like sum each to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate No.IV, Salem, and subject to the following conditions: [a] the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the Application for Surety ship [Judicial Form No.46 annexed to 'The Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019']. The learned Magistrate shall obtain a copy of any one of the identity proofs to ensure their identity; [b] the petitioners shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m. until further orders; [c] the petitioners shall not abscond either during investigation or trial; [d] the petitioners shall not tamper with the evidence or witness either during investigation or trial; [e] on breach of any of the aforementioned conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate action against the petitioners in accordance with law as if the conditions had been imposed and the petitioners released on Page4 of 5 bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court itself, as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005)13 SCC 283]; [f] if the petitioners thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR may be registered under Section 269 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 07-08-2026 NSL Note:

¶1Registry is directed to forthwith upload this order in the Official Website of this Court.

¶2All concerned to act on this order being uploaded in Official Website of this Court without insisting on certified hard copies. To be noted, this order when uploaded in the official website of this Court will be watermarked and will also have a QR code. To

¶1The learned Judicial Magistrate No. IV, Salem.

¶2Central Prison, Salem.

¶3The Intelligence Officer, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Coimbatore Regional Unit, 1103/Old No.1608, Trichy Road, Coimbatore - 641 018.

¶4The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras. CRLoOPoNo.o20880oofo2026 C.KUMARAPPAN,oJ. NSL CRLoOPoNo.o20880oofo2026 07-08-2026 Page5oofo5

Page1 of 5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 07-08-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN 1. Gopinath 2. Saravanan ..Petitioners Vs The Intelligence Officer, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Coimbatore Regional Unit, 1103/Old No.1608, Trichy Road, Coimbatore - 641 018. (DRI/CRU/VIII/48/ENQ-01/INT-02/2026) ..Respondent PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the petitioners on Bail in the above DRI/CRU/VIII/48/ENQ-01/INT-02/2026 on the file of the Respondent. For Petitioners: Mr.S.Senthilvel For Respondent: Mr. N.P.Kumar, Special Public Prosecutor for Central Government