APHC010131042026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3396] WEDNESDAY,THE EIGHTEENTH DAY OF MARCH TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE DR JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA CRIMINAL PETITION NO: 2056/2026 Between: 1. VENKATESHAN BOOSI, S/O BOOSI, AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS. R/O.PUDUR VILLAGE, KATTIPATTU POST, PINJAMANDAI (GP), VELLORE DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU STATE. (A-1) 2. ELUMALAI RAMESH,, S/O RAMESH, AGED ABOUT 23 YEARS. R/O. MULLAVADI VILLAGE, KATTIPATTU POST, PINJAMANDAI (GP), VELLORE DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU STATE. (A-4) ...PETITIONER/ACCUSED(S) AND 1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY ITS PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH, AT AMARAVATI THROUGH BHAKARAPETA RANGE, TIRUPATI. ...RESPONDENT/COMPLAINANT Petition under Section 437/438/439/482 of Cr.P.C and 528 of BNSS praying that in the circumstances stated in the Memorandum of Grounds of Criminal Petition, the High Court pleased to Grant bail to the Petitioner/Accused No. 1 and 4 in Cr.No.04/2026. dated 11-02-2026, of RSASTF P.S., Tirupati for the offences punishable U/C 303 (2) r/w 3 (5)BNS, 49, 61(2) BNS and Sec. 20(1)(d)(i)(a) r/w 20(1 )(c) ii. iii, iv, x, 36(a) r/w 32A, 29(4)(a)(i) of the AP Forest Amendment Act, 2016 of RSASTF P.S., Tirupati U/C 187 BNSS, pending disposal of the case before the competent court, and pass Counsel for the Petitioner/accused(S): 2 1. SRINIVASU L Counsel for the Respondent/complainant: 1. PUBLIC PROSECUTOR 3 THE HONOURABLE DR JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA CRIMINAL PETITION NO: 2056/2026 ORDER: This Criminal Petition, under Sections 480 and 483 of the BNSS, has been filed by the Petitioners herein/Accused No.1 and 4, seeking regular bail, in Cr.No.04/2026. dated 11-02-2026, of RSASTF P.S., Tirupati, of RSASTF P.S., Tirupati, registered for the offences under Sections 303 (2) r/w 3 (5), 49, 61(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhitha (for short <BNS=), 20(1)(d)(i)(a) r/w 20(1 )(c) ii, iii, iv, x, 36(a) r/w 32A, 29(4)(a)(i) of the A.P.Forest (Amendment) Act, 2016. 2. The case of the prosecution in brief is that, this is a case of criminal conspiracy, abetment to commit the offence, trespass into reserve forest without permission, cut the live red sander trees and committed theft and trying to shift by loading for the purpose of smuggling red sander logs that occurred on 11.02.2026 at about 3.30 hours, near Pincha Dam, Jillella Mandal, Forest Beat, Pincha Forest, Section T.Sundupalli Mandal, Annamayya District in which the accused Nos. 1 to 4 were arrested and 72 red sander logs weighing about 2217 Kgs, Tractor and Tanker were seized from their possession. 3. Heard Sri Srinivasu.L, learned counsel for the Petitioners and Mrs.K.Priyanka Lakshmi, learned Assistant Public Prosecutor on behalf of the State. 4 4. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the petitioners, who are Accused Nos.1 & 4, have been falsely implicated in the present case. He further submits that there is no element of truth in the allegations made in the report and that the petitioners are in no way connected with the alleged incident. The petitioners are the sole breadwinners of their families, and their continued incarceration would cause hardship to them. It is also submitted that the petitioners are willing to furnish sureties to the satisfaction of the Court. The petitioners have been in judicial custody since 11.02.2026 and crucial part of the investigation might have been completed by this time. He finally prays for grant of regular bail to the petitioner. 5. Learned Assistant Public Prosecutor vehemently opposed the petition and submitted that the investigation is at a crucial stage and that the statutory period has not yet been completed. It was also submitted that the investigation is pending with regard to the arrest of Accused Nos. 5 to 10 and 14 to 18. She contended that, if the petitioners are released on bail, there is every likelihood of the petitioners committing similar or other offences, tampering with evidence, and influencing or threatening witnesses. She would further submit that the contraband involved in this case is 72 red sander logs weighing about 2217 Kgs. Learned Assistant Public Prosecutor finally prays for dismissal of the petition. 6. Considering the submissions and on perusal of the material on record and in view of the seriousness of the allegations, the stage of the 5 investigation, and the quantity of contraband involved in this case, this Court is not inclined to grant bail to the petitioners/accused Nos.1 and 4 at this stage. 7. Accordingly, this Criminal petition is dismissed. As a sequel thereto, the miscellaneous applications, if any, pending in this Criminal Petition shall stand closed. __________________________________________ DR. JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA Date: 18.03.2026. UPS 6 283 THE HONOURABLE DR JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA CRIMINAL PETITION NO: 2056/2026 Dt.18.03.2026 UPS