CRL OP(MD). No.13229 of 2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 14/07/2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K. RAJASEKAR CRL OP(MD). No.13229 of 2026 1. Chinnathavasi 2. Thangam 3. Patchiraja ... Petitioners/Accused No.3 to 5 Vs The State of Tamil Nadu Rep., By, The Forest Ranger, Gandamanur Forest Range, Theni District. WLOR. No.7/2026 ... Respondent/Complainant PRAYER :- for Anticipatory Bail in Crime No. 7/2026 on the file of the Respondent Police For Petitioners : R.Murugan, Advocate. For Respondent : Mr.N.Balasubramanian, Counsel For State of TN (Crl.Side) ORDER The petitioners apprehend arrest for the alleged offence under 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP(MD). No.13229 of 2026 Sections 19, 24, 32, 35, 36,16, 44, 46 and 50 of WildLife )Protection) Act, 1972, in WLOR. No.7 of 2026, on the file of the respondent police seek anticipatory bail. 2. The allegation against the petitioners is that these petitioners are joining hands with the 2 other accused involved in the illegal sale of tusks from the skulls of the dead elephants, which were hidden inside of the forest area. Subsequently, on the basis of prior information, the forest officials arrested A1 & A4 and recovered 2 tusks. Hence, the case has been registered. 3. The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are innocent and they have not committed any such offence as alleged by the prosecution and they have been falsely implicated in this case. He further submitted that they are not having any previous case and the co-accused (A2 & A4) were already arrested the tusk were also recovered and the petitioners are ready to co-operate with the investigation and the petitioners have no previous case. Hence, he prayed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners. 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP(MD). No.13229 of 2026 4. The learned counsel for the State of TN (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police, on instructions, submitted that a male wild elephant was found dead in a Megamalai wildlife sanctuary and the petitioners were involved in selling the tusk from removing the same from the skull of the dead elephant, and the investigation is at a preliminary stage and the tusk were recovered and A1 & A4 were arrested and in custody. He would further submitted that the petitioners have no previous antecedent. However, he opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners. 5. I have gone through the FIR and also the connected materials. 6.Considering the nature of allegations against the petitioners, and also considering the fact that now the tusk were recovered and A1 & A4 were arrested and in custody and the petitioners are not having any previous case and also the allegation against them that they only assisted the other accused for removal of tusk from the skull of the dead elephant, I am inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioners, subject to 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP(MD). No.13229 of 2026 certain conditions. No.13229 of 2026 certain conditions. [a] Accordingly, the petitioners are ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on their appearance, within a period of fifteen days from the date on which the order copy made ready, before the learned Judicial Magistrate, Andipatti, Theni District, on condition that the petitioners shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Thousand only) each with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Judicial Magistrate concerned and on further conditions that: [b] the petitioners shall report before the respondent police, daily at 10.30 a.m. for a period of four weeks, and thereafter as and when required for the interrogation. [c] the petitioners shall not commit any offences of similar nature. [d] the petitioners shall not abscond either during investigation or trial. [e] the petitioners shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial. [f] On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP(MD). No.13229 of 2026 learned Judicial Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate action against the petitioners in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioners released on bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005)AIR SCW 5560]. [g] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 B.N.S. 14.07.2026 dss To 1.The Judicial Magistrate, Andipatti, Theni District. 2.The Forest Ranger, Gandamanur Forest Range, Theni District. 3.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. 5/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP(MD). No.13229 of 2026 K. RAJASEKAR,J dss ORDER IN CRL OP(MD) No.13229 of 2026 Date : 14/07/2026 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis