The Judicial Magistrate (First Class), Jawali, on Saturday convicted three individuals from Mandi district for stealing and illegally transporting forest herbs, sentencing them to one year of simple imprisonment. The convicts—Halku Ram, Surjeet Singh, and Nanak Chand—were also fined Rs 10,000 each. In case of non-payment, they will serve an additional month of simple imprisonment.
Details of the Case
According to Assistant District Attorney (ADA), Jawali, Ravi Kumar, the court also imposed a separate sentence of three months simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000 under Sections 41 and 42 of the Indian Forest Act-1927 for transporting medicinal herbs without a valid permit or Forest Department permission.
The case dates back to June 10, 2021, when police stopped a truck (HP 65A-9011) near Kotla during the Covid-19 pandemic. They recovered a large quantity of forest herbs of various medicinal plant species being transported illegally in 220 bags without any permit or required Forest Department authorization.
Legal Proceedings
Judicial Magistrate Shashi Kant presided over the case and delivered the verdict. The prosecution successfully proved the charges of theft and illegal transport of forest produce. The sentences will run concurrently, with the convicts required to serve the longer term of one year.
The case highlights the ongoing issue of illegal harvesting and trade of medicinal plants in Himachal Pradesh, which threatens biodiversity and violates forest protection laws.
