- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:12647 CRL.P No. 917 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 02ND DAY OF MARCH, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S RACHAIAH CRIMINAL PETITION NO.917 OF 2026 BETWEEN: SRI VENKATESH S/O. ANNAMALAI AGED ABOUT 36 YEARS R/AT NEAR EDUCATE SCHOOL BHOVI COLONY SHIVAMOGGA-577 201. …PETITIONER (BY SRI ASHOKA T., ADVOCATE) AND: STATE OF KARNATAKA BY RANGE FOREST OFFICER TARIKERE, CHIKKAMAGALURU DISTRICT REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR Digitally signed by SREEDHARAN BANGALORE SUSHMA LAKSHMI Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:12647 CRL.P No. 917 of 2026 HIGH COURT BUILDING BENGALURU-560 001 …RESPONDENT (BY SMT. ANITHA GIRISH, H.C.G.P.) THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IS FILED UNDER SECTION 439 (FILED U/S.483 BNSS) CR.P.C. PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE PETITIONER ON BAIL IN S.C.NO.96/2019 ON THE FILE OF THE PRINCIPAL DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE, CHIKKAMAGALURU IN CRIME NO.11/2019, OF RESPONDENT POLICE BY RANGE FOREST OFFICE TARIKERE, FOR THE OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 33, 50, 62, 84, 86 AND 87 OF KARNATAKA FOREST ACT 1963. THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IS COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S RACHAIAH - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:12647 CRL.P No. 917 of 2026 ORAL ORDER 1. The petitioner is arraigned as accused No.1 has filed this petition, being aggrieved by the order dated 18.11.2025 in Sessions Case No.96/2019 passed by the Principal District and Sessions Judge at Chikkamagaluru (for short ‘Trial Court’), wherein the Trial Court has rejected the bail application filed by the petitioner. 2. Heard Sri Ashoka T., learned counsel for the petitioner and Smt. Anitha Girish, learned High Court Government Pleader for respondent – State. 3. The case of the prosecution is that, the petitioner had cut sandalwood tree and cut into 4 pieces and also made chips, in all, it was weighing approximately 24 kilograms. 4. A case was registered against the petitioner. After submitting the charge sheet, the matter was committed to Sessions Court and numbered as S.C.No.96/2019. Both accused Nos.1 and 2 were enlarged on bail on 08.08.2019. 5. During the course of the proceedings, accused No.1 remained absent and he was secured under NBW. Later, he was released on bail on 25.06.2021. The matter was set down for trial on 03.09.2021. On 31.07.2024, the present petitioner - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:12647 CRL.P No. 917 of 2026 had remained absent. NBW was issued, thereafter, his bail and surety bonds were cancelled. Even the proclamation under Section 82 of Code of Criminal Procedure was also issued and it was duly published. However, on 25.09.2023, he was secured under NBW. 6. Having gone through the orders passed by the Trial Court and after considering the rival submissions made by the learned counsel for the respective parties, I am of the considered opinion that this is not a fit case to grant bail. 7. Hence, I proceed to pass the following: ORDER The Criminal Petition stands dismissed. However, the Trial Court is directed to speed up the trial and complete the trial as expeditiously as possible. Sd/- (S RACHAIAH) JUDGE BSS List No.: 1 Sl No.: 42