Full Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 09-02-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE K.RAJASEKAR Sathish S/o. Balasundaram, North Street, Vaduvur Vadapathi, Thiruvarur District. ..Petitioner(s) Vs State Rep.Through the Forest Range Officer, Mannargudi Forest Range Office, Mannargudi Police Station, Mannargudi, Cr.No.1/2025. ..Respondent(s) Prayer: Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 483 of BVSS, 2023 seeking to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Cr.No.1/2025 (WLOR- Wild Life Crime Report No.1/2025) on the file of the Respondent. For Petitioner(s): U.Karunakaran For Respondent(s): Mr.A.Gopinath Government Advocate (Criminal Side)
ORDER
The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 11.12.2025, for the offences punishable under Sections 2, 49C, 32, 39, 44, 49(A-C), 50, 51, 52, 55, 56, 57, 58 (A to Y) of Wile Life Protection Act, 1972 in Crime No. 1 of 2025 (WLOR - Wildlife Crime Report No. 1 of 2025) on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail. Page1 of 7
2. The allegation against the petitioner is that based on a specific
information, the respondent police went to the place of occurrence and found that the petitioner along with other accused was in illegal possession of untested substance like ambergris for the purpose of selling the same by illegal means. Hence the case.
3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has
been falsely implicated in this case and he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. He further submits that the petitioner is in judicial custody from 11.12.2025. He further submitted that the petitioner is ready to abide any condition imposed by this Court. Hence, he prayed for grant of bail to the petitioner.
4. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the
respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that there are totally five accused involved in this case and the petitioner herein is arrayed as A1 and the petitioner is not having any previous case, and the investigation is pending. He further submitted that that if bail is granted to the petitioner, there is every possibility that he would indulge in similar type of various activities in future. However, he opposed for grant of bail to the petitioner. Page2 of 7
5. Considering the submissions made, facts and circumstances of the case,
nature of offence, and the fact that the petitioner is not having any previous case and taking note of the period of incarceration by the petitioner herein, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner with certain conditions.
6. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his
executing a bond for a sum of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand only) with two sureties, for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate No.I, Mannargudi, and on further conditions that: [a] the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the Application for Surety ship [Judicial Form No.46 annexed to 'The Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019']. The learned Magistrate shall obtain a copy of any one of the identity proofs to ensure their identity;
[b] the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at 10:30 a.m., for a period of three weeks and thereafter, as and when required for interrogation; [c] On breach of any of the aforementioned conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to pass appropriate orders against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the aforementioned conditions have been imposed and the petitioner released on bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005)13 SCC 283];
Page3 of 7 [d] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of B.N.S. 09.02.2026 MSM Index:Yes/No
Speaking/Non-speaking order
Internet:Yes Neutral Citation:Yes/No Note :
1. Registry is directed to forthwith upload this order
in the Official Website of this Court.
2. All concerned to act on this order being uploaded
in Official Website of this Court without insisting on certified hard copies. To be noted, this order when uploaded in the official website of this Court will be watermarked and will also have a QR code. Page4 of 7 To 1.The Judicial Magistrate No.I, Mannargudi. 2.The Superintendent, Sub Jail, Nannilam. 3.The Public Prosecutor High Court of Madras. 4.The Forest Range Officer Mannargudi Forest Range Office Mannargudi WLOR - Wildlife Crime Report No.1 of 2025. Page5 of 7
K.RAJASEKAR, J.
MSM 09-02-2026 Page6 of 7 Page7 of 7