Sugandhagiri tree felling case: Investigation team mentally assaulted me, says woman range officer

KALPETTA: A woman range officer said the investigation team mentally assaulted her in the Sugandhagiri tree felling case. The suspended range officer K Neethu came forward with the allegation. She has sent a letter to the chief forest officer informing about it. The forest department had entrusted a vigilance team to investigate the lapses in the Sudhangiri tree felling. The allegations were levelled against them. In the complaint filed to the forest head, she said that she was subjected to mental and physical pressure and recorded a false statement.

Neethu was suspended after finding supervision lapses in the case. However, Neethu's explanation is that it was her own team that identified the illegal felling, recovered the mainour and arrested all the accused.

Meantime, Kalpetta Flying Squad Range Officer M P Sajeev was transferred in the Sugandhagiri tree felling case. He was transferred to Vadakara Social Forestry Range. The action was taken following the finding that there were lapses from the side of Sajeev in the investigation conducted by the forest department vigilance team. Although the suspension order was issued earlier, the process was frozen. South Wayanad DFO Sajina was also transferred recently. However, the employees alleged that action was being taken against the officials without following the norms.