GANGA NAIKA Vs. STATE BY RANGE FOREST OFFICER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is a petition filed by accused Nos.2 and 4 in FOC No.48/2020-21 registered by the RFO, Tarikere for the offences punishable under Sections 33, 50, 62, 84, 86 and 87 of the Karnataka Forest Act, 1963 and 144, 165 of Karnataka Forest Rules, 1969, seeking anticipatory bail in the event of their arrest by the investigating agency by considering the grounds urged in this petition.

(2.) Heard learned counsel for the petitioners through video conferencing and learned HCGP for the respondent - State who is physically present before this court.

(3.) It is transpired in the complaint that when the respondent forest officials were on patrolling duty, they heard the sound of chopping the trees and whey they came to the scene of crime, they found four persons chopping a sandal wood tree and making into sandal wood chips. The officials when surrounded them, three of them took to heel from the scene of crime. But accused namely Nanda Naika was caught hold. Subsequently, the mahazar was conducted by the investigating agency. The said Nanda Naika disclosed that he was employed by other accused persons and they were into the business of cutting and selling the sandal wood trees. In pursuance of the complaint report, the case in FOC No.48/2020-21 came to be registered by the RFO, Tarikere Range for the offences aforesaid. Subsequent to registration of crime, the case is still under investigation by the investigating agency and the charge sheet is yet to be laid against the accused persons.