SATISH AND ORS. Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These two petitions have been clubbed together since offences alleged against the petitioners are similar and according to the learned counsel for the petitioners these cases arise out of a same transaction.

(2.) The petitioner in Crl.P.7050/2017 is petitioner No.3 in Crl.P.No.7048/2017. Petitioner Nos.1 and 2 in Crl.P.No.7048/2017 are said to be assisting the petitioner No.3 in his duties.

(3.) Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that Sri.N.S.Narayana Murthy, the petitioner in Crl.P.No.7050/2017 who is also the 3rd petitioner in Crl.P.7048/2017 is a renowned Nati Vaidya (Ayurvedic Practioner). It is submitted that from generations together the family of Sri.N.S.Narayana Murthy has been preparing medicines out of certain barks of trees and medicinal plants found in the wild. It is submitted that Sri.N.S.Narayana Murthy has been treating patients by preparing medicines from barks of trees and other medicinal plants and he has never used the medicine or his treatment in commercial lines. It is submitted that he treats the patients in his residence which is near by Anandapura Forest Range. Off late the treatment given by Sri.N.S.Narayana Murthy has been receiving media attention and out of ill-will some of the neighbours lodged a complaint saying that he has been contravening the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. It is in this background, that the first investigation reports have been filed against Sri.N.S.Narayana Murthy and his assistants who are petitioner Nos.1 and 2 in Crl.P.No.7048/2017.