Kerala High Court Grants Bail to 70-Year-Old Accused in Leopard Killing Case
Court Finds Lack of Prima Facie Evidence Against Senior Citizen in Wildlife Protection Violation
In a significant judgment delivered on October 9, 2025, the Kerala High Court granted bail to Baby V J., a 70-year-old accused in the alleged killing of a leopard within a reserve forest. Presided over by Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, the court found the allegations against the petitioner to be unsupported by adequate evidence, thus allowing his bail application under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
The petitioner, Baby V J., was arrested on September 25, 2025, following accusations that he had laid a cable trap resulting in the death of a leopard, a protected species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The incident was reported to have occurred within the boundaries of the reserve forest in the Pariyaram Forest Range, Thrissur. The prosecution argued for continued detention due to the seriousness of the crime, highlighting the protection afforded to wildlife under statutory provisions.
However, the defense counsel challenged the prosecution's claims, asserting that the petitioner had been wrongly implicated without any substantial evidence linking him to the alleged crime. The defense pointed out that the prosecution failed to provide concrete evidence indicating the exact location where the trap was laid or the identity of the individual responsible for setting it. Given these gaps in the prosecution's case, the defense argued that Baby V J. was made a scapegoat for actions potentially committed by another party.
Justice Thomas, upon reviewing the case details, noted the absence of prima facie materials necessary to substantiate the allegations against the petitioner. The court took into account the petitioner's advanced age and the duration of custody already undergone, deeming further detention unnecessary. Consequently, bail was granted with specific conditions to ensure compliance with legal procedures and prevent further offenses.
The conditions set by the court for granting bail include the execution of a bond worth Rs. 50,000 with two solvent sureties, regular appearances before the investigating officer, prohibition on influencing witnesses or tampering with evidence, and a mandate to refrain from committing similar offenses while on bail. The court also provided provisions for the jurisdictional court to address any violations or modifications to the bail conditions.
This case underscores the importance of evidence-based prosecution and the judiciary's role in safeguarding individual rights while balancing the enforcement of wildlife protection laws. The judgment serves as a reminder of the critical need for thorough investigation and substantiated allegations in wildlife-related offenses.
Bottom Line:
Bail application under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 - Petitioner accused of killing a leopard in a reserve forest - Allegations deemed prima facie unsupported by adequate evidence - Bail granted subject to conditions.
Statutory provision(s): Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023; Sections 2(16), 9, and 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; Section 27(I)(e)(iv) of the Kerala Forest Act, 1961.
Baby V J. v. State of Kerala, (Kerala) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2792291
