Forest department accused of shielding BJP functionaries in alleged theft of over 25 trees in Mangaluru
Mangaluru
The Mangaluru Forest Department has come under serious allegations of protecting two BJP functionaries accused of illegally felling and transporting more than 25 trees from a Sewage Treatment Plant area operated by the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC).
The alleged incident took place at the Sewage Treatment Plant area at Chelar Madhya in Madhavanagar, which falls under the Mangaluru North Assembly constituency. The MCC lodged a complaint with the Forest Department on August 14, seeking action against those allegedly involved in the illegal felling and theft of trees from the government-owned premises.
During the course of the preliminary inquiry, it allegedly emerged that Mangaluru North BJP Mandal Secretary Pushparaj Karkera and State BJP Mahila Morcha Secretary Shwetha Poojary were involved in the felling and illegal transportation of the trees.
According to the information submitted by the corporation, around 25 to 30 trees were allegedly axed from the premises. The MCC is also understood to have pointed out that several of the trees were of considerable value.
However, allegations have now surfaced that the Forest Department, despite registering an FIR in connection with the case, allegedly diluted the seriousness of the offence by recording the seizure of only eight trees. It is further alleged that the trees shown as seized were of relatively low value and were suitable mainly for use as firewood, while the more valuable timber allegedly removed from the site was not reflected in the seizure records.
Social activist and Congress worker Sunil Bajilakere has accused Forest Department officials of deliberately reducing the number of trees recorded in the case in order to protect the accused.
Speaking to Blrpost.com, Bajilakere alleged that the Deputy Conservator of Forests had manipulated the details of the case and changed the number of trees shown as having been felled.
“The Deputy Conservator of Forests deliberately changed the number of trees that were axed in order to protect the accused, Pushparaj Karkera and Shwetha Poojary. Both are BJP functionaries, and the government must take action against the DCF,” he alleged.
Bajilakere further claimed that Karkera had secured a contract to construct a compound wall around the Sewage Treatment Plant. According to him, the trees were allegedly cut in the guise of carrying out the contract work.
He alleged that permission was not obtained from the concerned authorities before the trees were felled. The trees were subsequently allegedly transported from the premises illegally.
The allegations have raised questions over whether the investigation into the case is being carried out in its entirety and whether all the trees allegedly felled from the MCC property have been accounted for.
The case is particularly significant as the alleged accused are office-bearers of the ruling BJP, while the Forest Department is facing accusations of selectively recording the seizure and failing to account for the alleged theft of valuable timber.
Bajilakere has demanded a thorough and independent inquiry into the incident and action against officials if it is found that the investigation was deliberately weakened or evidence was suppressed to shield those accused in the case.