SIDDI REDDY SURYACHANDRA Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners-accused Nos.1 and 2 are before this Court seeking grant of bail under Sec. 439 of Cr.P.C. in Crime No.17 of 2023 of Indiranagar Police Station, pending on the file of the X Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Mayohall, Bengaluru, registered for the offences punishable under Ss. 86 and 87 of the Karnataka Forest Act and under Sec. 379 of the Indian Penal Code (for short ' IPC '), on the basis of the first information lodged by the informant N Lata.

(2.) Heard Sri Kaleem Sabir, learned counsel for the petitioners and Sri K Rahul Rai, learned High Court Government Pleader for the respondent -State. Perused the materials on record.

(3.) Learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are arrayed as accused Nos.1 and 2. They are innocent and have not committed any offences as alleged. They have been falsely implicated in the matter without any basis. They were apprehended on 26/1/2023 and since then they are in judicial custody. It is alleged that the petitioners were found in possession of 40 kgs of sandalwood billets. These petitioners are only labourers and they were given sandalwood billets by accused No.3. The petitioners were already subjected to interrogation and they are not required for further investigation. They are not having any criminal antecedents. Detention of the petitioners in custody would amount to pre- trial punishment. The petitioners are the permanent residents of the addresses mentioned in the cause title to the petition and are ready and willing to abide by any of the conditions that would be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prays to allow the petition.