Kerala Minister Seeks Probe Into Muttil Tree-Felling Order and Case Lapses

Kerala Forest and Wildlife Minister Shibu Baby John has sought an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Muttil tree-felling case, including a possible conspiracy behind the Revenue order that enabled the felling and alleged lapses in the subsequent probe.

Speaking on the matter, the Minister said the case contained several unexplained elements and that the conditions in which the order was issued by A. Jayathilak, then Revenue Secretary and later Chief Secretary, required scrutiny. He described those circumstances as particularly significant, noting that officials from the Revenue and Forest departments had reportedly flagged concerns.

According to the Minister, minutes of discussions among Revenue and Forest officials recorded apprehensions that the order could lead to widespread tree-felling. He said the government would examine whether the previous administration's actions had deliberately created a situation that allowed the accused to escape prosecution. He added that he had spoken to the Home Minister and the Chief Minister and sought a probe into the order.

Complaint received

The Minister said an official complaint had reached him by email alleging that three accused persons in the case had met at a media organisation's office and that a journalist had witnessed the alleged meeting. He said he had received the complaint only recently and that it contained a serious allegation, including a claim of conspiracy that needed investigation. He said he would examine the complaint before drawing any conclusions.

On the handling of the case, Mr. John said there had been lapses and that it needed to be determined whether they were deliberate. The chargesheet filed by the Forest department was returned by the Sulthan Bathery court after deficiencies, including missing documents and technical and clerical errors, were pointed out. A revised chargesheet was later submitted after the corrections were made. The Minister said he had directed the Head of the Forest Force to inquire whether the lapse occurred inadvertently or deliberately and to submit a report.

He rejected the suggestion that the Muttil case had collapsed and said the remaining chargesheets would be filed.

Seized timber

According to the Minister, the Forest department had seized 108 rosewood trees in connection with the case. The accused had allegedly told investigators that nine trees had been cut from the property of a person identified as Molly and Jose. However, when investigators inspected the property, the remaining tree trunks did not match the seized timber. Mr. John said those nine trees did not appear to have been cut from that property and that there had not been a proper investigation into where they were actually felled.

He also clarified his earlier remarks on the source of the seized timber. The trees were initially seized without their exact source being established. Subsequent investigation indicated that some of the timber was connected to land covered by the controversial Revenue order. The Forest department later registered cases based on the available evidence.

On Tom Joseph appointment

Responding to questions about the proposed appointment of Tom Joseph as director of the Kerala Academy for Skills Excellence, Mr. John said he had sought a report from ADGP Vijay Sakhare on allegations raised against Mr. Joseph. The Minister said he was not aware of the cases reportedly pending against Mr. Joseph when the appointment was made, and that it was based on his professional background. He rejected the allegation that the appointment was made because of Mr. Joseph's personal association with him.