ASHOK KUMAR Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard the learned Counsel for the petitioner and the learned High Court Government Pleader.

(2.) On the complaint of one Malathesh.A.M., S/o Manjunath, Assistant Executive Engineer, Public Works Department, on 04.09.2018, the High Grounds Police Station, Bengaluru City, registered Crime No.117/2018 against unknown persons for the offences punishable under Sections 86 & 87 of the Karnataka Forest Act and Section 379 IPC.

(3.) In the complaint, it is averred that the complainant received a phone call on 04.09.2018 and he was informed that two sandalwood trees from the residential premises of Seven Ministers Quarters were cut and removed and immediately on receipt of the said information, the complainant had visited Bungalow No.6 from where the said two trees were removed and found that two sandalwood trees having girth of 32 inches and 24 inches, respectively, were cut and removed in the midnight of 04.09.2018. Based on the said complaint, the police after registering the FIR against unknown persons have continued with the investigation and during the course of investigation had arrested accused 1 to 3 and on the basis of their voluntary statement, the present petitioner was arrayed as accused no.6 and was produced before the Trial Court through body warrant.