CRL OP No. 15437 of 2026 __________ Page1 of 5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 23-06-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN CRL OP No. 15437 of 2026 1. M. Kumar 2. Raja ..Petitioner Vs State, Represented by The Forest Range Officer, Sevarayan North, Pappireddipatti, Dharmapuri District. (WLOR No. 02/2025) ..Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, praying to enlarge the petitioner/Accused on bail in the event of his arrest in WLOR No. 02/2026 pending investigation on the file of the Respondent, namely the Forest Range Officer, Servarayan North Range, Pappireddipatti, Dharmapuri District. For Petitioner: Mr.G. Rajesh For Respondent: Ms.R.S.Indira Government Advocate (Crl.Side) ORDER The petitioners apprehend arrest for the alleged offence under Sections Part V Sec.21(d) TN Forest Act, 2(16), 2(33), 2(35), 2(36), 9, 39, 50, 52, 56, 57, 51(1) WLPA Act, 1972, 2(e), 3, 25(1-B) of Arms Act, 1956 in WLOR.No.02 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police seek anticipatory bail. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 15437 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 5 2.The case of the prosecution is that on 17.05.2026, at about 04:00 a.m., while the respondent police were on patrol duty, the petitioners were allegedly found attempting to hunt wild animals, namely the mongoose and the Indian porcupine, using a country-made firearm. Hence, the complaint. 3. The learned counsel for the petitioners submit that the petitioners are innocent and they have been falsely implicated in this case. He further submits that the petitioners are ready to abide by any condition that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prays for the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioners. 4. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution's case and submitted that the petitioners have no criminal antecedents. However, she opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners. 5. I have given my anxious consideration to the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record. 6. Considering the totality of the circumstances, the nature of the allegations, and the submission made by the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) that the petitioners have no criminal antecedents, this Court finds that the custodial interrogation of the petitioners is not required. Hence, https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 15437 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 5 this Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioners on anticipatory bail, subject to certain conditions. 7. Accordingly, the petitioners are ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on their appearance, within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date on which the order copy is made ready, before the learned District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate No.1, Yercaud, Salem District on condition that the petitioners shall execute a separate bond for a sum of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand only), with two sureties each, for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate concerned, and on further conditions: (a) If the petitioners fails to surrender before the concerned learned Magistrate within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, this order shall stand automatically cancelled; (b) The sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the application for surety ship (Judicial Form No.46 annexed to 'The Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019]'. The learned Magistrate shall obtain a copy of any one of identify proofs to ensure their identity; (c) The petitioners shall report before the respondent police as and when required for interrogation; https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 15437 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 5 (d) If the 1st petitioner is in possession of any country- made gun, he is directed to surrender the same before the respondent police; (e) On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate actions against the petitioners in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioners released on anticipatory bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji v. State of Kerala [(2005) AIR SCW 5560]; (f) If the petitioners thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act. 23-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No VEDA To 1.The District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate No.1, Yercaud, Salem District. 2.The Forest Range Officer, Sevarayan North, Pappireddipatti, Dharmapuri District. 3.The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 15437 of 2026 __________ Page5 of 5 C.KUMARAPPAN, J. VEDA CRL OP No. 15437 of 2026 23-06-2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis