Hyderabad:The Telangana High Court has reaffirmed that forest officials are not empowered to investigate offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), even when such allegations arise alongside offences under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Justice J. Srinivas Rao clarified that any attempt by forest officials to register an FIR under the IPC or to investigate IPC offences results in a fundamentally defective process. The petitioners contended that forest officials lack the authority and jurisdiction to investigate IPC offences and are empowered only to investigate offences under the Wildlife (Protection) Act. Accordingly, the High Court quashed the investigation insofar as it related to IPC Sections 351, 332 and 333. The Court also clarified that the order would not prevent forest officials from seeking appropriate remedies under the IPC through competent authorities.