(1) Criminal Application No. 3473 of 2011 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY, AURANGABAD BENCH, AT AURANGABAD. Criminal Application No. 3473 of 2011 Nanasaheb s/o. Ganpat Dhadge, Age : 35 years, Occupation : Agriculture, R/o. Chanda, Taluka : Newasa, District : Ahmednagar. .. Applicant. versus The State of Maharashtra, Through Police Station, Sonai, Taluka : Newasa, District : Ahmednagar. .. Respondent. ....................... Mr. Y.V. Kakade, Advocate, for the applicant. Mr. G.R. Ingole, Additional Public Prosecutor, for the respondent. ........................ CORAM : SHRIHARI P. DAVARE, J. DATE : 22ND AUGUST 2011 COURT'S ORDER : 1. Heard learned respective Counsel for the parties, (2) Criminal Application No. 3473 of 2011 finally, and also perused the investigation papers which are made available by the learned APP for inspection purpose. 2. This is an application preferred by the applicant seeking anticipatory bail apprehending his arrest in connection with Crime No. I-74/2011, registered at Police Station, Sonai (Taluka : Newasa, District : Ahmednagar), for the offences punishable under Section 379 read with Section 34 of Indian Penal Code, Sections 40 and 42 of the Indian Forest Act, and Section 65 of the Maharashtra Forest Act. 3. It appears that the offence has been registered on the basis of the complaint lodged by Police Constable, Navnath Shrawan Waghmode, belonging to Special Squad of Police, Ahmednagar, on 16-6-2011, alleging that on the basis of the information received by the complainant, about illegal possession of sandal wood, he along with lady P.S.I. Birari and staff, went to the spot at Ghodegaon Chanda road and seized huge quantity of sandal wood at about 5 p.m., in the presence of Panchas. Two persons were found cutting sandal wood, namely, Sachin Dhadge and Mohan Kadam, and on inquiry, they disclosed the name of the applicant herein, who is owner of the said land, who is indulging into sale and purchase of sandal wood. (3) Criminal Application No. 3473 of 2011 4. Learned Adv. Mr. Y.V. Kakade, for the applicant, has canvassed that the land in question belonged to the applicant and his brother, namely, Ashok Dhadge, and therefore, submitted that the applicant alone is not liable for the alleged offence, and the applicant be granted anticipatory bail. 5. However, the fact remains that though the land in question belonged to the applicant along with his brother Ashok Dhadge, but huge quantity of sandal wood was found in the said land, which was allegedly meant for illegal sale, and the applicant could not give explanation therefor. Besides, the name of the applicant has been reflected in the FIR and huge quantity of sandal wood was allegedly found in the said land belonging to the applicant with his brother but the applicant herein was absconding. In the circumstances, considering the nature of allegations and gravity of accusations against the applicant, present application deserves to be rejected. 6. In the result, present Criminal Application lacks merits and the same stands dismissed, and is disposed of finally. ( SHRIHARI P. DAVARE ) JUDGE bgp/ka3473