YALLAPPA YAMANAPPA HALAB Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This petition is filed by the accused Nos.1 to 3 under Section 439 of Cr.P.C. seeking bail in Alnavar Range Forest Crime No.1/2018-2019 for the offence punishable under Sections 24, 84 and 86 of the Karnataka Forest Act, 1963 (in C.C.No.1615 of 2019 on the file of II Additional Civil Judge and JMFC-II Court, Dharwad).

(2.) The facts briefly stated are that on the complaint dated 14.10.2018 filed by the Apiculture Assistant in Horticulture Department Haliyal (Jenu Krishi Sahayakaru), the Range Forest Officer, Haliyal Range, registered a case at F.O.C.No.1/2018-2019. The allegations are that on 13.10.2018 night hours three sandalwood trees were cut by unknown persons and the offenders have taken away some portions of the sandalwood trees. On registering the case Range Forest Officer, Alnavar has conducted the investigation and submitted the charge sheet. The accused Nos.1 to 3 were arrested on 23.05.2019 even though they were granted bail in three other criminal cases by the Sessions Court Sirsi, In connection with other cases regarding theft of sandalwood they were not released. The bail petitions filed before the Principal Sessions Court Dharwad have been rejected.

(3.) Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and learned HCGP. Perused the charge sheet records.