THABARESH Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) It is found that at Page Nos.19 to 23 documents were produced by learned counsel for the petitioner, are irrelevant and not connected to this petition. Learned counsel for the petitioner shall remove them from the case file.

(2.) The petitioner has filed this petition under Section 438 of Code of Criminal Procedure seeking grant of anticipatory bail in FOC.No.60/2019-20 of Deputy Range Forest Office Section Kavithal, District Raichur for the offences punishable under Sections 24(c) (2), (e), 62, 71(a), 84 and 86 R/w 104-B of the Karnataka Forest Act, 1963.

(3.) The brief contention of the petitioner is that complaint was lodged by the Deputy Range Forest Officer Section Kavithal alleging that on 02.03.2020 he has received credible information about the cutting of Sandalwood Trees in the reserved forest area of Thimmapur village. The complainant and his staff and panchas reached the reserved forest area and found in torch light at a distance of 30 meters from Thimmapur road some persons. They surrounded the said place. There were three persons, who after witnessing the forest officials attempted to run away from the spot. Thereafter accused Nos.1 and 2 were apprehended at the spot and petitioner however escaped. On interrogation accused Nos.1 and 2 they informed their names and other details. Thereafter, they inspected the spot and found that accused persons had cut 14 sandalwood trees and also found 08 sandalwood billets totally weighing 20.99 K.Gs and 14 pieces of chakke of different sizes. They found a motorcycle bearing Reg.No.KA-28-EX-2063 belonging to accused and axeblade and seized the said articles under Mahazar at the spot and arrested the accused persons. On the basis of complaint, the Deputy Range Forest Officer Section Kavithal has registered the case in FOC.No.60/2019-20 for the aforesaid offences.