Kerala HC demands for extensive probe into illegal tree-felling

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday directed the Special Investigating Team (SIT) to conduct an in-depth inquiry into the alleged tree felling case at Muttil in Wayanad.

The court's observation came while hearing a petition seeking a CBI probe into the matter.

The Bench comprising Chief Justice S. Manikumar and Justice Shaji P. Chali said that the present special team, which has launched its probe, should not restrict itself to find out the trees that were felled on 'pattaya land' but also should extend its probe into the felling of expensive trees on forest and government land.

It also wanted to see that the probe should see that if there were any violations by any government official, and any such person found involved should be strictly dealt with, according to law.

The court further observed that concerted action had been taken to cut and remove the valuable trees from the forest areas, government and Patta lands, "which could not have been done without the connivance and blessings of the high officials of the departments concerned."

The court has made it clear that at any stage of the case, the public will have every right to approach the court requesting another inquiry with sufficient cause. The case pertains to a controversial order issued by the Revenue Department during the previous Left Democratic Term (LDF) tenure, that involved tree felling including rosewood trees at Muttil in Wayanad district. The order was withdrawn later.