Mystery shrouds sabotage of Muttil illegal tree-felling case; Forest Minister seeks Home Department probe

Thiruvananthapuram: Forest Minister Shibu Baby John has sought a Home Department investigation into the alleged sabotage of the Muttil illegal tree-felling case, saying the circumstances surrounding the case raise several questions.

The minister's decision follows a journalist's revelation that three accused in the case had allegedly hatched a conspiracy inside the office of Reporter TV. Referring to the complaint and the revelation, Shibu Baby John said all the circumstances surrounding the alleged sabotage must be thoroughly examined.

As many as 41 cases have been registered in connection with the illegal felling of trees. Initially, Occurrence Reports (ORs) were registered in all the cases on the assumption that the trees had been seized from forest land. However, questions later arose, including in Sultan Bathery, over whether the trees had been smuggled from revenue land or forest land.

According to the journalist's revelation, the alleged conspiracy involving three of the accused took place inside the office of the channel head, with the journalist claiming to have directly witnessed it. The minister said the investigation was ordered based on this revelation.

Shibu Baby John said it was necessary to establish precisely how the circumstances leading to the controversial order arose. He described the handling of the matter as a "100 per cent failure" and questioned whether the order, issued despite concerns that such circumstances could facilitate illegal tree-felling, created an opportunity for the accused to evade the case.

The minister also said it had become clear that nine trees allegedly shown as having been cut from the property of Molly and Jose had not actually been felled there, pointing to procedural lapses in the handling of the case at the time.

The Forest Minister said he had directed the Head of the Forest Department to examine whether the procedural lapses were accidental or deliberate and submit a report. Further action will be taken after the report is received, he said.

Shibu Baby John added that strict action would be taken against those responsible, irrespective of where the lapses occurred.

Journalist's revelation names Nikesh Kumar

The journalist's allegation that three accused conspired inside the Reporter TV office concerns the period when Nikesh Kumar was the head of the channel.

The journalist has alleged that the conspiracy took place inside Nikesh Kumar's office during his tenure as the channel's head.