Kerala Forest Dept Resubmits Chargesheet in Muttil Tree-Felling Case

The Forest department has resubmitted its chargesheet in the Muttil tree-felling case, weeks after a magistrate court returned the earlier document for rectification.

The revised chargesheet was filed on Friday, correcting the defects in the version submitted on September 17 by the Divisional Forest Officer.

The Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-I, Sulthan Bathery, had returned the original chargesheet citing missing documents, clerical errors and shortcomings in the confiscation proceedings related to the vehicle allegedly used to transport the timber. The court also questioned the delay in filing the chargesheet, noting that the department had not moved a petition seeking to have the delay condoned.

In its observations, the court said the delay could have been explained by pointing to the time taken to obtain DNA test results and a government directive requiring forest cases to be filed only after police submitted chargesheets in connected criminal cases. It also flagged deficiencies in the investigation, including the failure to trace and produce the remnants of trees allegedly felled on forestland, besides pointing to several drafting and clerical errors.

The refiling comes amid allegations that the earlier chargesheet was weak and that its omissions could have worked to the advantage of the accused, the Augustine brothers. Questions were also raised over the circumstances in which the earlier document was prepared.

Following criticism from various quarters over the rejected chargesheet, Forest Minister Shibu Baby John sought an explanation from the department, asking officers to detail the circumstances that led to its preparation and to submit a report after a proper investigation.

The Muttil tree-felling episode had led to more than 170 cases being registered by the Forest, Police and Revenue departments. The Forest department alone had registered 52 cases against the Augustine brothers. It had earlier cited a stay issued by the Kerala High Court as the reason for the delay in completing prosecution proceedings. The latest chargesheet is expected to address the deficiencies identified by the magistrate court.