The investigation team probing the illegal tree felling in Muttil South village in Wayanad has once again obtained a detailed account of the logs seized by the forest department in the case. The felling of rosewood trees in the revenue patta lands of Muttil South occurred during November-December 2020 and January-February 2021.
Inventory of Seized Logs
A detailed inventory was conducted of the 43 rosewood logs seized in the case, which are currently stored at the forest department timber depot in Sulthan Bathery. Due to concerns that the logs were deteriorating from exposure to rain and sun, the forest department approached the court. As part of the auction process, the inventory was taken again and will be submitted online to the court.
Accused in the Case
Roji Augustine, the owner of Surya Timbers, which allegedly transported the illegally felled trees to a timber depot in Ernakulam, along with his brothers Josekutty Augustine and Anto Augustine, landowners, revenue officials, and other accomplices, are accused in the case. The investigation team recently submitted a charge sheet in the Sulthan Bathery Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in 36 cases where the Augustine brothers are accused.
Background of the Tree Looting
The widespread tree looting took place under the guise of an order issued by the revenue department in October 2020, which allowed the felling of trees, except sandalwood, on titled land with conditions. This order was allegedly misused to carry out illegal felling of rosewood trees.
