SADDAM Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The present petition is filed by accused No.3 under Section 439 of Cr.P.C. to enlarge him on bail in Crime No.26/2020 of Sagar Town Police Station for the offences punishable under Sections 120B , 396 , 201 , 212 of IPC and Section 86 of Karnataka Forest Act.

(2.) I have heard Sri Lethif B., learned counsel for the petitioner-accused No.3 virtually and Sri Mahesh Shetty, the learned HCGP for the respondent-State.

(3.) The gist of the complaint is that sandalwood has been stored by the complainant in his godown and three security guards have been deputed to watch the godown. It is further alleged that on 6.2.2020 during the night hours one Nagaraj was working as a guard in between 8.00 p.m. and 7.00 a.m. On 7.2.2020 at about 7.10 a.m. the official Sri Ramachandra Bhat called the complainant and asked him whether he has shifted sandalwood by opening the godown, for which the complainant replied that he has not done anything. Immediately, the complainant informed the said aspect to the Range Forest Officer who came near the godown and found that the door of the godown has been broke open and the guard Nagaraj was also not present and they suspected that some miscreants have committed theft of the sandalwood and subsequently the accused persons have been apprehended. It is also alleged that at about 12.00 Noon one forest official informed that the dead body of Nagaraj has been found near Nedarahalli Bus Stand and he has suffered with grievous injuries and somebody has committed the murder of the said official in order to commit the theft. It is further alleged that nearly about 100 Kgs. of sandalwood was missing from the said godown. On the basis of the complaint a case has been registered.