IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.SASIDHARAN NAMBIAR FRIDAY, THE 7TH AUGUST 2009 / 16TH SRAVANA 1931 Crl.MC.No. 620 of 2009() ------------------------ CC.267/2008 of JUDL.MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS-II(FOREST OFFENCES), PUNALUR .................... PETITIONER(S): ACCUSED 1 AND 2: ------------------------------------------------------ 1. KURIEN.E.KALATHIL, PROPRIETOR,PONMUDI ESTATE,T.C.14/1004,VAZHUTHACAUD, TRIVANDRUM. 2. K.N.PRAHLADAN, S/O.LATE NARAYANAN UNNI.K.N., MANAGER,PONMUDI ESTATE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY ADV.MR.M.RAMESH CHANDER RESPONDENT(S): COMPLAINANT AND STATE: -------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. THE RANGE OFFICER, FOREST DEPARTMENT, KULATHUPUZHA. 2. STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY ITS PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA, ERNAKULAM. BY MR. M.P.PRAKASH (SPL. PUBLIC PROSECUTOR FOR FORESTS) THIS CRIMINAL MISC. CASE HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 07/08/2009 ALONG WITH CRMC NO. 624 OF 2009, CRMC NO. 625 OF 2009 AND CRMC NO. 629 OF 2009,THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE FOLLOWING: Kss M.SASIDHARAN NAMBIAR,J. -------------------------------------------------------------- CRL.M.C.NO.620, 624,625 & 629 OF 2009 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Dated 7th August 2009 O R D E R Petitioners are the same accused in C.C.267/2008, 265/2008, 266/2008 and 268/2008 on the file of Judicial First Class Magistrate (Forest Offences)-II, Punalur. These petitions are filed under Section 482 of Code of Criminal Procedure to quash the respective final report filed by first respondent Range Officer who investigated the case. 2. Learned counsel appearing for petitioners and learned Public Prosecutor were heard. 3. Though learned counsel appearing for petitioners argued that the final reports are to be quashed, as rightly pointed out by the learned Public Prosecutor petitioners are entitled to approach the learned Magistrate for an order of discharge under Section 239 of Code of Criminal Procedure and raise all the contentions raised therein. In such circumstances, I find it not necessary for this court to consider the petitions on merit. CRL.M.C. 620, 624,625 & 629/09 2 4. Petitions are disposed granting liberty to the petitioners to seek order of discharge from the learned Magistrate. Petitioners are at liberty to file an application for discharge under Section 239 of Code of Criminal Procedure and they are also entitled to file an application for exemption from personal appearance for hearing of that application, under Section 205 of Code of Criminal Procedure. Petitions are disposed accordingly. M.SASIDHARAN NAMBIAR, JUDGE. uj.