What action was taken against officials who gave permission to fell down tress, asks HC, rejects accused anticipatory bail plea

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court rejected the anticipatory bail plea of the accused in the Muttil tree-felling case. The court rejected the bail pleas of accused Roji Augustine, Anto Augustine and Jose Kutty Augustine.

The accused claimed that trees were felled from lands having pattaya and that it was not a reserve forest. The accused also informed the court that the trees were felled with the permission of many including the forest department.

However, the government claimed that the accused felled down reserve trees and forest plunder worth crores occurred. The government requested the court not to grant them anticipatory bail as they have to be questioned in custody. The court asked the government what action was taken against the officials who gave permission to fell down the trees.