Sri K.T. Saheb vs The State of Karnataka

V. Jagannathan, J.—Heard both sides in respect of anticipatory bail sought by the Petitioner, who is one of the accused in F.O.C. No. 13/2010-11 registered for the effences punishable under Sections 104(A) (B) (D), 50, 58(2)(B), 71(A) of the Karnataka. Forest Act, 1963 and Rule 127A, 144 and 165 of the Karnataka Forest Rules, 1969 and Sections 8 & 24 of the K.P.T. Act, 1976.

Submission of the Petitioner''s Counsel is that, the only material against this Petitioner is said to be the voluntary statement of accused No. 1 and there is no other material to connect this Petitioner with the alleged offence of taking up the wooden logs and transporting them in a mini lorry.

Having regard to the above submissions made and the offences alleged, this Petitioner can be released on anticipatory bail by imposing conditions to safeguard the prosecution interest.

In the result, petition is allowed and anticipatory bail is granted to the Petitioner, subject to the following conditions:

(i) Petitioner shall be released on bail in the event of his arrest in F.O.C. No. 13/2010-11 by Devamohi of Thithimathi forest range, Virajpet taluk on his executing a personal bond for a sum of Rs. 25,000/- with two sureties for the like sum to the satisfaction of the arresting police officer.

(ii) He shall not tamper or attempt to tamper the prosecution evidence.

(iii) He shall not give threat to the prosecution witnesses in any manner.

(iv) He shall not hamper the investigation and shall appear before the I.O. as and when he is called upon to do so.

(v) He shall mark his attendance before the jurisdictional police station on every Saturday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.