Aji Bright v. State of Tamil Nadu Rep. by

ORDER The petitioner apprehends arrest for the alleged offences under Sections 21(b) and 21(d) of the Tamil Nadu Forest Act 1882 and Sections 39(1)(b), 44(1)(a)(i), 44(1)(a)(ii) and 49B(1)(a)(iii) of the Wildlife (Protection) act, 1972 in Crime No.1 of 2015 on the file of the respondent police seeks anticipatory bail.

¶2The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner was involved in the illegal trade of elephant tusks. Hence the complaint.

¶3The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that initially, the petitioner was not a named accused however, later on he has been arrayed as accused. He further submitted that the petitioner is innocent and a false case has been foisted against the petitioner and that he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution.

¶4Per contra, the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that after completion of investigation, charge sheet has been filed. Page3 of 6

¶5I have given my anxious consideration to either side submissions.

¶6Considering the nature of the allegations and the fact that the charge sheet has been filed and upon the fact that the occurrence took place in the year 2015, at this length of time, this Court is of the firm view that, custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not required. Hence, this Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioner on anticipatory bail, subject to certain conditions.

¶7Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on his appearance, within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date on which the order copy is made ready, before the learned Judicial Magistrate, Udhagamandalam on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand only), with two suretieseach, for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate concerned, and on further conditions:

(a)If the petitioner fails to surrender before the concerned learned Magistrate within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, this order shall stand automatically cancelled;

(b) The sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the application for surety slip (Judicial Form No.46 annexed to 'The Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019]'. The learned Magistrate shall obtain a copy of any one of identify proofs to ensure their identity; Page4 of 6

(c) The petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 am for a period of two weeks and thereafter as and when required;

(d) On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate actions against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioner is released on anticipatory bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji v. State of Kerala [(2005) AIR SCW 5560];

(e) If the petitioner thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act. 14-07-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order MFA Page5 of 6 To

1.The Judicial Magistrate, Udhagamandalam

¶2The Forest Range Officer, Segur.

¶3The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Chennai. CRLoOPoNo.o15497oofo2026 C.KUMARAPPAN,oJ. MFA CRLoOPoNo.o15497oofo2026 14-07-2026 Page6oofo6

Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 14-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Aji bright S/o.Ramachandran, Mudumbil Veedu, Oruvathikotta, Anayara P.O., Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695 029. ..Petitioner(s) Vs State of Tamil Nadu Rep. by The Forest Range Officer, Segur. Crime No.1/2015 ..Respondent(s) PRAYER: This Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 482 of BNSS, praying to enlarge the Petitioners/Accused on Anticipatory bail in the event of their arrest pending investigation in Crime No.1/2015 on the file of the respondent police and pass such or other and further order which may deem fit in the circumstances of this case and thus render justice. For Petitioner(s): Mr.S.Najimudeen For Respondent(s): Mrs.R.S.Indira Government Advocate (Crl.Side) Page2 of 6