JITHESH K.P. Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This application is filed under S.439 of the Cr.P.C.

(2.) The applicant herein is the 3 rd accused in O.R. No.15 of 2019 of Thamarassery Forest Range, registered under S.9, 39, 50, 51, 52 and 56 of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.

(3.) On 22.09.2019, the Forest Officer of the Thamarassery Forest Range received information that certain persons had hunted a wild animal and was transporting its meat in a jeep bearing registration No.KL-09-T-8569. The Jeep driven by the applicant was intercepted and the applicant was taken into custody. However, the accused Nos 1 and 2, who were following the Jeep in two separate bikes managed to escape after leaving behind the bikes. On inspection of the Jeep, about 140 kg of meat of a wild animal, said to be a Sambar Deer (cervus unicolar) along with knifes, etc were found inside. The statement of the applicant was recorded, and he is alleged to have disclosed that the applicant was invited to the spot by the accused Nos. 1 and 2 and the meat was handed over to him.