Case against 13 forest officials for slapping fake poaching case against Adivasi youth

IDUKKI: The police have registered a case against 13 officials of the forest department for slapping a fake poaching case against an Adivasi youth. The action is on the complaint of Sarun Saji of Upputhara Kannampadi for assaulting him in custody after slapping a fake case. The case has been registered against 13 people including section forest officer Anil Kumar.

Forester Anil Kumar and his team arrested Saji on September 20 for allegedly trying to sell wild meat. The youth filed a complaint against the forest officials. An investigation by the forest department revealed that the officials slapped a false poaching case on the youth. Anil Kumar, beat forest officers N R Shijiraj, V C Lenin, driver Jimmy Joseph, watchmen K T Jayakumar and K N Mohanan were suspended from service. Wild life warden Rahul is also an accused in the case.

Sarun Saji filed a complaint before the SC/ST Commission seeking action against the officials for slapping a fake poaching case against him. Commission chairman B S Mavoji directed to register case against the officials when the case was considered in the sitting held in Kumily. The case was filed under the provisions of the Scheduled Caste (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.