Kerala Forest Minister Shibu Baby John has ordered a wider probe into the Muttil tree-felling case. The inquiry will examine the alleged conspiracy behind the case and the circumstances in which a controversial Revenue Department order issued during A. Jayathilak’s tenure came into force.Key HighlightsForest Minister Shibu Baby John has sought a probe into the case.The inquiry will examine the controversial revenue order.The role and circumstances linked to former Revenue Secretary A. Jayathilak will be examined.A revised chargesheet in the case has already been submitted to court.Why Is the Muttil Case Being Probed Again?The Muttil tree-felling case relates to the cutting and removal of valuable trees in Wayanad. The case became a major issue after a 2020 Revenue Department order was used in connection with tree cutting.The order was later withdrawn in February 2021. Reports said the wording of the order created confusion over which trees could be cut from assigned land.The Forest Department has alleged that valuable trees were cut and transported using the order. The case has been under investigation for several years.Minister Seeks Probe Into OrderShibu Baby John has now asked for the circumstances behind the controversial order to be examined.The minister has also asked the Home Minister to look into the allegations and circumstances surrounding the order issued during A. Jayathilak’s tenure.The probe does not establish wrongdoing by any individual. It is intended to examine how the order was issued and how it was later used in the tree-felling case.“The reasons behind the issuance of the controversial revenue order must also be investigated,” Shibu Baby John said.Chargesheet Returned, Then RevisedThe case also came into focus after the Sultan Bathery Magistrate Court returned the Forest Department’s chargesheet earlier in September.Reports said the court pointed to missing documents and technical issues in the chargesheet. The Forest Department later corrected the errors and submitted a revised chargesheet. The court subsequently accepted the revised filing.The minister had earlier sought an explanation from the Forest Department about the problems in the original chargesheet. He also said investigators would examine whether any errors were deliberate.What Is the Muttil Tree-Felling Case?The case concerns the alleged illegal cutting and transportation of valuable trees in the Muttil area of Wayanad.The Forest Department had seized 108 felled rosewood trees linked to the case, according to the minister. He said nine of the trees were confirmed as not being from land covered by title deeds.The government is now examining both the investigation and the administrative decisions connected with the case.The latest probe is expected to look at the circumstances behind the Revenue order, possible lapses in the investigation and the handling of the chargesheet. Any responsibility established through the inquiry will depend on its findings.
