DEVARAPALLI RAJASEKHAR Vs. STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This petition is filed under Sec. 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (for short "Cr.P.C.") to enlarge the petitioners/A-1 and A-2 on bail in the event of their arrest in connection with OR No.77/2020-21 on the file of the Forest Range Officer, Kodur, registered for the offences punishable under Ss. 20(1)(c)(ii)(iii)(iv) and (x) of the A.P. Forest Act, 1967 (Amendment Act, 2016) and under Ss. 29(2)(b) and Ss. 32A, 32B, 32C and Sec. 62(A)(1)(2) of A.P. Forest Amendment Act, 2016, Sec. 20(1)(d)(i) and 29(4) (a)(i) of A.P. Forest Act, 1967 and under Rule 3 and 4 of the A.P. Sandal Wood and Red Sanders Wood Transit Rules, 1969 and under Sec. 379 of Indian Penal Code, 1860.

(2.) The case of the prosecution is that on 14/8/2020 at about 11.00 AM, the Forest Range Officer, Kodur along with staff reached Kodur to K.V.Bhavi locality via Y.Kota for combing operation at K.V.Bhavi locality and stopped vehicles and noticed that some persons were carrying the Red Sander logs and on seeing the police, they thrown the Red Sander logs and tried to run away. Immediately the Forest officials along with Task Force party have caught hold of two persons who are accused Nos.5 and 6 and the remaining persons escaped from the scene of offence. The accused confessed that accused Nos.1 and 2/ petitioners herein approached them and stated that if they will cut the Red Sander trees and convert into logs and carry the same into vehicle, then they would pay Rs.500.00 for one KG of Red Sander logs and given advance of an amount of Rs.3,000.00. They collected total 16 logs, weighted 477 KGs and the value of the same is Rs.1,92,488.00 Basing on the said allegations in the special proceedings, the above crime is registered.

(3.) Heard B.S.Reddy, learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned Additional Public Prosecutor for the respondent-State.