A.Raman v. The State Rep by the Forest Range Officer

ORDER The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 21.06.2025, for the offence punishable under Sections 2(2), 11, 18, 23, 31, 32, Sections 39, 40, 42, 44(1)(a), Sections 48a, 49, 49A, 49B, 49C, Sections 55, 56 & 57 of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, in W.L.O.R.No.1 of 2025, on the file of the respondent, seeks bail.

¶2The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner herein, a temporary employee in the Forest department working as Anti-Poaching Watcher, was found involved in the illicit trade of elephant tusks.

¶3The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that only on suspicion the petitioner has been implicated as one of the accused, whereas all the other accused involved in this case have already been granted bail by the learned Principal District & Sessions Judge, Coimbatore.

¶4The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondent police submitted that the petitioner being an Anti Poaching Watcher, was himself involved in the illicit trade of elephant tusks. The investigation reveals that they had removed the tusks from a dead elephant and attempted to sell them illegally with the help of A3 to A5.

¶5Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record.

¶6Considering the facts, tusk has already been recovered and the investigation in this regard almost completed, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner, subject to certain conditions.

¶7Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his executing 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 learned District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Valparai, Coimbatore and on further conditions that: [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 petitioner shall report before the Judicial Magistrate daily at 10.30 a.m., until further orders; [c] On breach of any of the aforementioned conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to pass appropriate orders against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the aforementioned conditions have been imposed and the petitioner 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)13 SCC 283]; [d] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of B.N.S.

13.08.2025 rpl 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

1.The District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate, Valparai, Coimbatore

2.The Forest Range Officer, Manampalli Forestry, Valparai, Pollachi Division, Coimbatore District.

3.Central Prison, Coimbatore.

4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

Dr.G.JAYACHANDRAN, J. rpl

13.08.2025

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 13.08.2025 CORAM THE HONOURABLE Dr.JUSTICE G.JAYACHANDRAN A.Raman ... Petitioner Vs. State Rep.by The Forest Range Officer, Manampalli Forestry, Valparai, Pollachi Division, Coimbatore District. (WLOR.No.1 of 2025) ... Respondent PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in WLOR.No.1 of 2025 pending investigation on the file of the respondent. For Petitioner : Mr.M.N.Balakrishnan For Respondent : Mr.L.Baskaran Government Advocate (Crl. Side)