The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : CBI inquiry into sandalwood case

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 01, 2007
ePaper


<SCRIPT language='JavaScript1.1' SRC="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/N4322.hinduonline/B2155503.3;abr=!ie;sz=468x60;ord=[timestamp]?"> </SCRIPT> <NOSCRIPT> <A HREF="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/N4322.hinduonline/B2155503.3;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;sz=468x60;ord=[timestamp]?"> <IMG SRC="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/N4322.hinduonline/B2155503.3;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;sz=468x60;ord=[timestamp]?" BORDER=0 WIDTH=468 HEIGHT=60 ALT="Click Here"></A> </NOSCRIPT>

Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

CBI inquiry into sandalwood case

Special Correspondent

Move aimed at ending smuggling

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Cabinet on Wednesday decided to order an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the Walayar sandalwood case.

The observations of the High Court in a bail application filed by the accused in the case in 2005 had led to the resignation of the then Forest Minister K.P. Viswanathan.

The accused Shanmukhadas and his sister had filed a petition before the Government that forest officials were harassing them, and the Government had immediately ordered an inquiry by the Vigilance wing of the Forest Department into the incident. This had led to the observation by the court that the accused had immense clout in the Government.

The Conservator of Forests (Vigilance), Kozhikode, who investigated the complaint, had come to the conclusion that the complaint had been substantiated.

However, the present Government ordered an inquiry by the Chief Conservator of Forests (Vigilance), which showed that complaint was not factual.

Official sources said the Government had decided to request a CBI investigation because the findings of the two Vigilance officers were conflicting. Besides, the case had inter-State ramifications.

The sandalwood in question was stolen from the Marayur forests and forest officials had traced into the Walayar Rural Industries.

Forest Minister Benoy Viswom said the decision to leave the case to the CBI showed the will of the LDF Government to end sandalwood smuggling. It was determined to deal with the problem of smuggling with a strong hand.

The Cabinet decision was proof of that.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala

News Update

Stories in this Section