Sakthi v. The State Rep by Forest Ranger

ORDER The petitioner / Accused, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 09.12.2025 for the offences punishable under Section 21(d)(h) Act-V of Tamil Nadu Forest Act, Section 2(16), 9, 39, 41, 50 and 51 of Wild Life Protection Act and 9, 25(1)(a) of Indian Arms Act, in WLOR No.31 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

¶2The case of the prosecution is that on 09.12.2025 at about 11.30 PM when the forest officials were conducting raid at Patthalamalai Forest Area, the petitioner /A1 along with other accused came in a two wheeler and on suspicion they were stopped by the police and A2 has fled away from the occurrence place on seeing the forest police and the petitioner was caught by the police with country gun and on enquiry they found that the petitioner came to hunting of wild animals. Hence the case.

¶3The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner / accused would submit that the petitioner is an innocent person and he has been falsely implicated in this case. He would further submit that the petitioner was arrested and he was in judicial custody from 09.12.2025. Hence, he prayed bail for the petitioner.

¶4The learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondent would submit that on 09.12.2025 at about 11.30 PM when the forest officials were conducting raid at Patthalamalai Forest Area, the petitioner /A1 along with other accused came in a two wheeler and on suspicion they were stopped by the police and A2 has fled away from the occurrence place on seeing the forest police and the petitioner was caught by the police with country gun and on enquiry they found that the petitioner came to hunting of wild animals. He would further submit that the investigation is pending and there is one previous against the accused. Hence, strongly opposed to grant bail to the petitioner.

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

¶6Considering the rival submissions made by the learned counsel on either side, considering the nature of offences and none of the wild animals were hunted and considering the period of incarceration undergone by the petitioner, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner, subject to certain conditions. [a] Accordingly, 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 Judicial Magistrate, Pappyreddypatti, Dharmapuri District, and on further conditions that:- [b] the petitioner shall report before the respondent police on every Saturday at 10.30 a.m., for a period of four weeks and thereafter as and when required for interrogation. [c] the petitioner shall not commit any offence similar to the offence of which he is accused, or suspected, or of the commission of which he is suspected; [d] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial; [e] the petitioner shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer or tamper with the evidence; [f] On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Judicial Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate action against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the 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)AIR SCW 5560]. [g] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 BNS.

30.12.2025 Index: Yes/No Internet: Yes/No Speaking/Non-Speaking order mtl / smn 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 The State rep by Forest Ranger, Forest Range Office, Morappur, Dharmapuri District. (WLOR No.31 of 2025).

¶2The Judicial Magistrate, Pappyreddypatti, Dharmapuri District.

¶3The Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai.

4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

CRLoOPoNo.36042oofo2025 oP.DHANABALoo,oJo. mtl CRLoOPoNo.o36042oofo2025

30.12.2025 Pageo7oofo7

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 30-12-2025 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P. DHANABAL CRL OP No. 36042 of 2025 Sakthi S/o. Murugan, 207, Murugar Kovil Adivaram, Regadahalli Post, Thippireddihalli, Dharmapuri District. Petitioner(s) Vs The State rep by Forest Ranger, Forest Range Office, Morappur, Dharmapuri District. (WLOR No.31 of 2025). Respondent(s) PRAYER : To enlarge the petitioner on bail in WLOR No.31 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioner(s): Mr.G. Paramasivam For Respondent(s): Mr.S.Vinoth Kumar Government Advocate (Crl Side)