- 1 - NC: 2025:KHC:6302 CRL.P No. 689 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 12TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE MOHAMMAD NAWAZ CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 689 OF 2025 (439(Cr.PC) / 483(BNSS)) BETWEEN: AHAMED SHAREEF AGED ABOUT 51 YEARS, S/O NOOR AHAMED R/A LASHKAR MOHALLA, CHANNAGIRI, DAVANGERE DISTRICT-577 101. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. VINAYA KEERTHY M., ADVOCATE) AND: STATE BY RANGE FOREST OFFICER, CHANNAGIRI RANGE, DAVANAGERE DISTRICT. REPRESENTED BY THE STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT, BENGALOORU-560 001. …RESPONDENT (BY SRI. RANGASWAMY R., HCGP) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 439 CR.P.C (U/S 483 BNSS) PRAYING TO GRANT BAIL FOR THE ALLEGED OFFENCES PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 50, 62, 80, 84, 86 AND 84 OF KARNATAKA FOREST ACT, 1963 R/W R.144 AND 165 OF KARNATAKA FOREST RULES, 1969 IN CRIME NO.9/2024-25 FILED BY THE RESPONDENT RANGE FOREST OFFICER, CHANNAGIRI RANGE, CHANNAGIRI, ON THE FILE OF THE LEARNED PRL. DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE, DAVANAGERE. Digitally signed by LAKSHMI T Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - NC: 2025:KHC:6302 CRL.P No. 689 of 2025 THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR JUSTICE MOHAMMAD NAWAZ ORAL ORDER Petitioner/accused No.1 in FOC No.9/24-25 registered by the Range Forest Officer, Channagiri range is before this Court praying to enlarge him on bail. 2. Heard the learned counsel for petitioner, learned High Court Government Pleader for the State and perused the material on record. 3. Brief facts of the prosecution case are that, the Range Forest Officer, Channagiri range, Bhadravathi Division was on a patrolling duty on 19.11.2024 in Honnebhagi-Rajagondanahalli SH-65. He found the petitioner herein transporting 8 sandalwood pieces and barks totally weighing 10 kgs 50 grams, on a motorbike bearing registration No.KA-17-HN-2456. The sandalwood pieces, the motorbike which was used for transporting the sandalwood and one mobile were seized. - 3 - NC: 2025:KHC:6302 CRL.P No. 689 of 2025 4. A case in FOC No.9/24-25 was registered under Section 50, 62, 80, 84, 86, 87 of the Karnataka Forest Act, 1963 and Rules 144 and 165 of Karnataka Forest Rules, 1969. 5. It is the case of prosecution that accused was transporting the sandalwood billets without any valid license or permit and he purchased the sandalwood pieces from accused Nos.2 and 3. 6. The contention of the learned counsel that the petitioner is innocent and he has been falsely implicated in the case etc., cannot be accepted as the petitioner was caught red handed and sandalwood billets were seized from his possession under a mahazar in the presence of panchas. Even though it is contended by the learned counsel that the petitioner has no criminal antecedents and he is not involved in similar offences earlier, in view of a prima facie case against him, at this stage, there are no grounds to believe that he is not guilty of the offence alleged against him. Investigation is under progress. - 4 - NC: 2025:KHC:6302 CRL.P No. 689 of 2025 Therefore, at this stage this is not a fit case to enlarge the petitioner on bail. Petition is dismissed. Sd/- (MOHAMMAD NAWAZ) JUDGE HB List No.: 1 Sl No.: 40 Ct:ar