VELAYUDHAN Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner, who is the 1st accused in O.R. No. 5 of 2021 of Forest Range Office, Alathur registered for the offences punishable under Sections 27(1)(e)(iii) and (iv), 47B(1), 47C(1)I, 47G of the Kerala Forest Act, 1961, has moved this application for his release on bail under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

(2.) The petitioner has been in custody since 28.08.2021.

(3.) The prosecution allegation is that this petitioner along with the other accused, three in number, have trespassed into Alathur forest area, Nenmara forest division, illegally and cut and removed 31 sandalwood trees and committed theft of the same and illegally transported sandalwood logs from the forest and thereby committed the aforesaid offences.