VENKATESH Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner - accused No.4 has filed this petition under Sec. 439 of Cr.P.C for enlarging him on bail in respect of High Grounds Police Station in Crime No.113/2022 registered for the offence punishable under Sec. 379 of Indian Penal Code and under Ss. 86, 87 of the Karnataka Forest Act, 1963 pending on the file of VIII Addl. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Bengaluru.

(2.) The brief factual matrix leading to the case are that the complainant was working as a Estate Manager at Bengaluru Golf Club for the past eight years. It is alleged that on 1/8/2022, in the early morning around 4.00 a.m., he received a telephonic call asserting that sandalwood tree bearing No.6 was cut down by unknown persons situated in the premises and immediately, he rushed to the spot and found that the tree was cut down. In this regard, he lodged a complaint against the unknown persons which was registered in the above said Crime No.113/2022.

(3.) During the course of investigation, the Investigation Officer on 22/8/2022 apprehended the present petitioner and other accused and on interrogation, they confessed to the commission of theft and the present petitioner led them to the house of accused No.3- Ramachandra, wherein the stolen sandalwood tree billets were traced and they were recovered. A mahazar was also drawn and the petitioner was remanded to judicial custody. He has approached the learned Sessions Judge seeking bail, but the same came to be rejected. Hence, the petitioner is before this Court.