IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE R.BASANT WEDNESDAY, THE 30TH JANUARY 2008 / 10TH MAGHA 1929 Bail Appl..No. 544 of 2008() ---------------------------- O.R.NO.1/08 OF THALIPARAMBA FOREST RANGE OFFICE, KANNUR DISTRICT. : PETITIONER/2ND ACCUSED --------------------------- MATHEW.T.J., S/O.JOSEPH, AGED 63 YEARS, THAZHATHUKUNNEL HOUSE, TALIPARAMBA AMSOM, TRICHAMBARAM DESOM TALIPARAMBA TALUK, KANNUR DISTRICT. BY ADV. SRI.V.A.SATHEESH SRI.V.T.MADHAVANUNNI RESPONDENTS: ------------- FOREST RANGE OFFICER, TALIPARAMBA FOREST RANGE OFFICE, (O.R.NO.1/2008 OF TALIPARAMBA FOREST RANGE OFFICE, KANNUR DT), REP. BY THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM. BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR SRI.JAI GEORGE THIS BAIL APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 30/01/2008 ALONG WITH B.A.NO.619/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE FOLLOWING: R.BASANT, J. ---------------------- B.A.Nos.544 & 619 of 2008 ---------------------------------------- Dated this the 30th day of January 2008 O R D E R These applications are for regular bail. The petitioners are accused 2 and 3 in a crime registered under the provisions of the Wild Life Protection Act by the Thaliparamba Forest Range Office. The crux of the allegations is that the petitioners along with the co-accused were found to be in possession of 30 gms of snake venom unauthorisedly and in violation of the provisions of the Wild Life Protection Act. The petitioners were taken into custody on 01/01/2008 and they continue in custody from that date. 2. The learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the petitioners are innocent. At any rate, they, who have remained in custody from 01/01/2008, may now be enlarged on bail, submits the learned counsel for the petitioners. 3. The learned Public Prosecutor opposes the application. The learned Public Prosecutor submits that the investigation is not complete. The links of the petitioner with other groups indulging in similar offences will have to be ascertained. Some further time is required for completing the investigation, submits the learned Public Prosecutor. B.A.No.544/08 2 4. I have considered all the relevant inputs. Notwithstanding the opposition of the learned Public Prosecutor, I am satisfied that the petitioners can now be granted regular bail. Appropriate conditions can of course be imposed to ensure the interests of a proper and efficient investigation. 5. In the result, these petitions are allowed. The petitioners shall be released on bail on the following terms and conditions: i) They shall execute bonds for Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees one lakh only) each with two solvent sureties each for the like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate. ii) The petitioners shall make themselves available for interrogation before the investigating officer between 10 a.m and 12 noon on all Mondays and Fridays, for a period of three months and thereafter as and when directed by the investigating officer in writing to do so. (R.BASANT, JUDGE) jsr B.A.No.544/08 3 B.A.No.544/08 4 R.BASANT, J. CRL.M.CNo. ORDER 21ST DAY OF MAY2007