1 2025:CGHC:46656 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 6373 of 2025 Leela Sai Kujur S/o Jagarnath Aged About 38 Years R/o Village Nawadeeh, P.S. And Tehsil- Shankargarh, District- Balrampur-Ramanujganj C.G. ... Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through the Forest Range Officer, Forest Range – Shankargarh, District – Balrampur-Ramanujganj (C.G.) ---- Non-applicant For Applicant : Mr. Bhupendra Singh, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State : Ms. Ankita Shukla, Panel Lawyer. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 11.09.2025 1. The applicant has preferred this First Bail Application under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail, as he has been arrested in connection with Forest Crime No. 22047/12, registered at the Forest Range Officer, Forest Range – Shankargarh, District – Balrampur-Ramanujganj (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 9, 39, 34B, 40, 43, 44, 48, 50, 51, 52 and 57 of the Wildlife Protection Act. 2. The case of the prosecution, is that during patrolling by the joint team of the State Level Flying Squad and forest staff of the Forest Range – RAJSHEKHAR SONI Digitally signed by RAJSHEKHAR SONI 2 Shankargarh, two people were found standing on Chirai Vally on Rajpur- Kusumi main road near P-2883 on 28.06.2025, when they were searched by the forest staff, 6 Kgs of skin of wild animal Pangolin was seized from the other co-accused persons, namely, Anup Yadav who was fled away, thereafter, the forest staffs has arrested the applicant. Hence, this application. 3. It is argued by the learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case and there is no criminal antecedents registered against the present applicant. It is further submitted that the charge-sheet has been filed in this case and the seizure of skin of the animal was made from the possession of the co- accused Anup Yadav. The applicant is in jail since 29.06.2025 and trial is likely to take quite long time for its conclusion, therefore, he prays for grant of bail. 4. On the other hand, the learned State counsel opposes the bail application and submits that there is no criminal antecedents registered against the present applicant, and the charge-sheet has been filed in this case. It is further submitted that during patrolling by the joint team of the State Level Flying Squad and forest staff of the Forest Range – Shankargarh, two people were found standing on Chirai Vally on Rajpur- Kusumi main road near P-2883 on 28.06.2025, when they were searched by the forest staff, 6 Kgs of skin of wild animal Pangolin was seized from the other co-accused persons, namely, Anup Yadav who was fled away, thereafter, the forest staffs has arrested the applicant, therefore, he is not entitled for grant of bail. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused all of the documents available on record. 3 6. Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case, nature and gravity of allegation levelled against the applicant and the fact that there is no any criminal antecedents registered against the present applicant, charge-sheet has been filed against the applicant and the seizure of skin of the animal was made from the possession of the co- accused Anup Yadav, the applicant is in jail since 29.06.2025 and conclusion of the trial is likely to take some time, I am inclined to allow this application. 7. Let applicant, Leela Sai Kujur, involved in Forest Crime No. 22047/12, registered at the Forest Range Officer, Forest Range – Shankargarh, District – Balrampur-Ramanujganj (C.G.) for the offence punishable under Sections 9, 39, 34B, 40, 43, 44, 48, 50, 51, 52 and 57 of the Wildlife Protection Act, be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond with two sureties in the like sum to the satisfaction of the court concerned with the following conditions:- (i) The applicant shall file an undertaking to the effect that he shall not seek any adjournment on the dates fixed for evidence when the witnesses are present in court. In case of default of this condition, it shall be open for the trial court to treat it as abuse of liberty of bail and pass orders in accordance with law. (ii) The applicant shall remain present before the trial court on each date fixed, either personally or through his counsel. In case of his absence, without sufficient cause, the trial court may proceed against him under Section 269 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (iii) In case, the applicant misuses the liberty of bail during trial and in order to secure his presence, proclamation under Section 84 of BNSS. is issued and the applicant fails to appear before the court on the date fixed in such proclamation, then, the trial court shall 4 initiate proceedings against him, in accordance with law, under Section 209 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (iv) The applicant shall remain present, in person, before the trial court on the dates fixed for (i) opening of the case, (ii) framing of charge and (iii) recording of statement under Section 351 of BNSS. If in the opinion of the trial court absence of the applicant is deliberate or without sufficient cause, then it shall be open for the trial court to treat such default as abuse of liberty of bail and proceed against him in accordance with law. 8. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice Rajshekhar