Jharkhand HC questions delay in probe into illegal tree felling during Covid lockdown

Ranchi, June 30 (IANS) The Jharkhand High Court on Tuesday once again expressed strong displeasure over the slow pace of the probe into the alleged large-scale illegal felling of trees across various districts of the state during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020.

Hearing the matter, a division bench of Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad and Justice Sanjay Prasad questioned the state government why the probe has not been completed even after four years, and what the status of the investigation is in the case handed over to the CID.

The court also raised concerns that the CID inquiry appears to be confined only to the Panki area of Palamu district, whereas the petition alleges that tree felling took place in several districts across the state. It directed the government to file a detailed response on this aspect.

Counsel for the petitioner, Abhay Kumar Mishra, informed the court that the probe was handed over to the CID after the matter surfaced, but has since progressed at a very slow pace. He alleged that there were attempts to shield those involved in the case.

Taking note of this, the court sought a detailed reply from the state government on the angle of a possible “larger conspiracy” in the matter.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled after two weeks.

In an earlier hearing, the state government had informed the court that the role of officials and staff of the Forest Department had surfaced during the probe. It had also admitted that chargesheets had been filed against two forest officials, while an arrest warrant had been issued against another accused.

The CID is currently investigating two FIRs registered in Palamu district in connection with the case. The High Court had earlier taken a stern view of the delay, observing that keeping the probe pending for such a long time was a serious issue and that delays cannot be justified merely by citing the need for documents.

According to the petition, hundreds of trees were allegedly felled illegally during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 in various districts including Jamtara, Palamu, West Singhbhum (Chaibasa), and Ranchi.

It is alleged that the felled timber was transported out using more than 200 trucks. Following the revelations, FIRs were registered at different police stations, and the investigation remains under the CID.

–IANS

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