- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:25733 CRL.P No. 1997 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 2ND DAY OF JUNE, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 1997 OF 2026 BETWEEN: SIDDAPPA S/O CHANNAPPA AGED ABOUT 48 YEARS R/AT SANTHAVERI VILLAGE TARIKERE TALUK CHIKKAMAGALUR - 560 001. …PETITIONER (BY SRI SACHIN MADEV HEGDE, ADV. FOR SRI SACHIN B.S, ADV.) AND: THE STATE BY DEPUTY RANGE FOREST OFFICER, CHIKKAMAGALURU REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT BUILDING BANGALORE - 560 001. …RESPONDENT (BY SRI VINAY MAHADEVAIAH, HCGP) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S.438 (FILED U/S.482 BNSS) CR.P.C PRAYING TO DIRECT THE RESPONDENT TO RELEASE THE PETITIONER ON BAIL IN THE EVENT OF THEIR ARREST IN WLOR NO.4/2025-26 REGISTERED BY THE THE DEPUTY RANGE FOREST OFFICER, ATTIGERE BRANCH, CHIKKAMAGALURU RANGE FOR THE OFFENCE P/US/ 2(14)(16),(36),9,39,50,51,52 OF WILDLIFE PROTECTION ACT 1972 BY ACCEPTING SURETY OR ON ANY CONDITION THAT THIS HONBLE COURT. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: Digitally signed by NANDINI M S Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:25733 CRL.P No. 1997 of 2026 CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S VISHWAJITH SHETTY ORAL ORDER 1. Accused No.1 in WLOR No.4/2025-26 registered by Deputy Range Forest Officer, Attigere Branch, Chikkamagaluru Range, for the offences punishable under Sections 2(14)(16)(36), 9, 39, 50, 51 and 52 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, is before this Court in this petition filed under Section 482 of BNSS, 2023, seeking anticipatory bail. 2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned HCGP appearing on behalf of the respondent - State. 3. It is the case of the prosecution that on 27.11.2025 based on credible information received, Range Forest Officer, Attigere Branch raided a spot where accused persons allegedly were in possession of meat of Sambar deer which they allegedly had hunted. When the raiding squad reached the spot, they found two persons out of which one managed to run away. Petitioner is allegedly the person, who managed to run away after seeing the raiding squad. The raiding squad arrested accused No.2 and had registered FIR against two persons for - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:25733 CRL.P No. 1997 of 2026 the aforesaid offences. Petitioner is arraigned as accused No.1 in the FIR. Apprehending arrest in the case, petitioner had filed Crl.Misc.No.644/2025 before the jurisdictional Sessions Court seeking anticipatory bail, which was rejected on 18.12.2025. Therefore, he is before this Court. 4. Learned counsel for the petitioner having reiterated the grounds urged in the petition submits that accused No.2 has been granted regular bail by the jurisdictional Court of Magistrate on the very next date of his arrest. Petitioner who has no other criminal antecedents is ready and willing to cooperate with the police for the purpose of investigation. Accordingly, he prays to allow the petition. 5. Per contra, learned HCGP has opposed the petition. 6. According to the prosecution case, accused persons who had hunted Sambar deer were allegedly carrying meat of the said animal and when they were making attempt to transport the same, a raid was conducted by the jurisdictional Range Forest Officer along with his staff. Accused No.2, who was arrested at the spot was found carrying meat of Sambar deer. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:25733 CRL.P No. 1997 of 2026 Material on record would go to show that accused No.2 was released on bail by the jurisdictional Court of Magistrate by order dated 29.11.2025. It is not in dispute that petitioner has no other criminal antecedents. He has undertaken to cooperate with the police for the purpose of investigation. The alleged offences are not exclusively punishable with death or life imprisonment. Under the circumstances, I am of the opinion that his prayer for grant of anticipatory bail needs to be answered affirmatively, subject to appropriate conditions. Accordingly, the following:- 7. The petition is allowed. The respondent - Police or any other police in the State of Karnataka are directed to release the petitioner in the event of his arrest in WLOR No.4/2025-26 registered by Deputy Range Forest Officer, Attigere Branch, Chikkamagaluru Range, for the offences punishable under Sections 2(14)(16)(36), 9, 39, 50, 51 and 52 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, subject to the following conditions: 1. The Petitioner shall appear before the Investigating Officer within 15 days from the date of receipt of the copy of this order and shall execute a personal bond for a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:25733 CRL.P No. 1997 of 2026 with two sureties for the likesum to the satisfaction of the investigating officer. 2. Petitioner shall regularly appear before the Trial Court without fail unless exempted by the Trial Court for valid reasons. 3. Petitioner shall not tamper with the prosecution witnesses and he shall co-operate with the police for investigation and appear before them whenever called upon. 4. The petitioner shall not involve in similar offences in future. Sd/- (S VISHWAJITH SHETTY) JUDGE DN List No.: 1 Sl No.: 59