KATHUA, AUGUST 03: The Divisional Forest Officer Kathua today clarified that the Department has initiated appropriate legal action against the persons involved in a Forest offence, The Department has refuted a news report published in a section of press.
“Proceedings have been initiated against the owner of the vehicle used in the commission of the forest offence as well as against the owner of M/s Sharma Katha Industry, Banyari Mahreen under Section 52 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927. The proceedings are presently pending before the competent authority,” the Department informed.
The Department further stated that the vehicle and illicit timber were duly seized and the offence was registered in accordance with the prescribed procedure. All statutory and legal actions against the persons involved have been initiated without any favour or discrimination.
Accordingly, the allegation that the factory has been shielded from legal action is wholly baseless, unfounded and contrary to the official records, the Department asserted.
“Since the matter is presently under statutory proceedings before the competent authority, it will not be appropriate to comment further on the merits of the case,” the Officer stated.
The Department further observed that publication of the news report without ascertaining the factual position from the Department has the potential to mislead the public and prejudice the ongoing legal proceedings.
