THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE G.V.SEETHAPATHY CRIMINAL PETITION No.5555 OF 2010 ORDER: This petition is filed under Section 482 of Cr.P.C., seeking quashing of further proceedings in O.R.No.33/2009-2010 on the file of the Deputy Range Officer, Gollapalli Section, Sidhout Range, Kadapa District. 2. Heard both sides. Perused the records. 3. On the basis of special proceedings, dated 25.07.2009 of the Deputy Range Officer, a case was registered against the petitioner and others for the offences under Sections 20 (1) (c) (ii) (iii) (iv) (vi) (x) of the A.P.Forest Act, 1957; Sections 27 & 29 of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 and Section 379 IPC. 4. According to the complainant, on 24.07.2009, on information, the Forest Range Officer and the staff proceeded to Lankamala Reserve forest and at about 3.00 a.m. on 25.07.2009 they found Red Sander logs being loaded by some people and when they surrounded them, except one person by name Ch.Venpataiah, the others have escaped. It is further stated that the Red Sander logs weighing 4595 kgs and the lorry bearing No.AR.46B 7432 were seized. 5. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that except the alleged confessional statement of A3, there is no other material to incriminate the petitioner- A1 and no charge sheet is also filed so far though the case was registered two years back. 6. Having regard to the serious nature of the offence alleged, involving illegally felling and transport of Red Sanders from the Reserve Forest area, it is considered that the matter requires thorough investigation and it is not a fit case at all to invoke the inherent powers of the Court under Section 482 Cr.P.C. and quash further proceedings in pursuance of the First Information Report. The nature and extent of the alleged complicity of the petitioner-A1 has to come out only after due investigation is allowed to be conducted. 7. In the circumstances, it is held that there are absolutely no valid or sufficient grounds to quash further proceedings in pursuance of the First Information Report in O.R.No.33/2009-2010. Having regard to the fact that the First Information Report was registered more than two years back, the investigating officer is directed to expedite the investigation and file the charge sheet or final report, as the case may be, before the concerned Court at an early date. 8. In the circumstances, Criminal Petition is dismissed. _______________________ G.V.SEETHAPATHY, J 20th October, 2010 Tsy