LUKMAN KHAN Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner is seeking to be enlarged on bail in the event of his arrest pursuant to the proceedings in Crime No.35/2019 for the offences punishable under Sections 24, 62, 80 of the Karnataka Forest Act; Sections 144, 145 of the Karnataka Forest Rules and Section 379 of IPC.

(2.) It is the case of the prosecution that the police having received credible information regarding the storage of red sandalwood billets in a vacant space belonging to one Ameerulla Khan by Usman alias Babu Ulla of Kattigenahalli Village, have proceeded to the spot and found loading of sandalwood billets to the car to transport the same. The police authorities have proceeded to the spot and found that the accused were trying to escape. They found the car used in the commission of offence and also sandalwood billets inside the car. Mahazar was prepared and a compliant came to be registered.

(3.) It is the case of the petitioner that his name does not find mention in the FIR or complaint but only the name of accused - Usman alias Babu Ulla was mentioned. It is further submitted that the petitioner is innocent of the offence and the punishment prescribed for the offences under the Karnataka Forest Act is only upto one year and hence, looking into the gravity of offence and as the petitioner undertakes to co-operate with the investigation, he may be enlarged on bail in the event of his arrest. It is further submitted that there are no criminal antecedents.