Madras HC Takes Suo Moto Cognizance Of Red Sander Woods Smuggling In Tamil Nadu; Seeks Response From DGP, DRI [Read Order]

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22 Sep 2020 6:50 AM GMT

  • Madras HC Takes Suo Moto Cognizance Of Red Sander Woods Smuggling In Tamil Nadu; Seeks Response From DGP, DRI [Read Order]

    The Madras High Court has taken suo moto cognizance of rampant red sander woods smuggling in the State and has sought a response on various issues from the local authorities. The Bench of Justice N. Kirubakaran and Justice P. Velmurugan noted that the smuggling racket was being operated by various political personalities, Police, exporters and brokers from both the State of Tamil...

    The Madras High Court has taken suo moto cognizance of rampant red sander woods smuggling in the State and has sought a response on various issues from the local authorities.

    The Bench of Justice N. Kirubakaran and Justice P. Velmurugan noted that the smuggling racket was being operated by various political personalities, Police, exporters and brokers from both the State of Tamil Nadu as well as the neighbouring states.

    The Court observed that these people had been exploiting the poor rural population residing around forests rich in red sander trees, and paying them peanuts in retrun.

    "The main reason for the poor people indulging in this illegal activity is that they lack opportunities of employment and proper income in their native districts. If they are provided with proper employment and basic amenities, definitely, they would not go for this kind of illegal activity," the Bench remarked.

    It also noted that these poor people were ultimately being arrested/ shot by Anti-smuggling Task forces whereas the mafia was operating from the back-end.

    In these circumstances, the Bench impleaded DGP, Mylapore (Chennai) and ADG, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (Chennai Zonal Unit), to assist the Court.

    They have been asked to answer the following queries, by September 28, 2020:

    • How many persons have been killed in the smuggling of Red sander woods from the neighbouring State of Andhra Pradesh as well as in our State for the past ten years?
    • How many persons have been arrested so far in the process of red sander woods smuggling?
    • How many cases have been registered in the smuggling of red sander wood and what is the state of those cases?
    • Who are all the stake holders in the red sander woods smuggling?
    • Is it a fact that poor and marginalized people have been lured with the promise of big money if they cut and smuggle red sander woods by powerful lobby?
    • Is it a fact that cutting across political parties, many political personalities such as police, brokers and exporters are involved in red sander wood smuggling?
    • Other than poor people, who are only victims, how many other politically powerful persons such as police officials, exporters, brokers and business people have been arrested so far?
    • What is the quantity of the red sander woods seized for the past ten years?
    • What are all the effective steps taken by the Government to sensitize the poor people about the dangers of red sander wood smuggling who have been used as tool for this illegal activity?
    • What are all the steps taken by the Government to give adequate and alternative employment so that people will not be lured away by red sander wood smuggling and red sander wood mafia?
    • Whether State of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have constituted special basic schemes to abate this red sander wood smuggling?
    • How many cases have been registered in Andhra Pradesh for the offence of smuggling of red sander woods and what is the stage of those cases?

    The Order has come while the Court was hearing a habeas corpus petition, seeking release of a 24-yr-old, allegedly involved in the smuggling case.

    The Court noted that the detention order passed against him was illegible at certain paras, thus precluding the detenu from giving a proper representation.

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