Keralam’s Muttil tree-felling case: court defers framing of charges against Augustine brothers to Sept. 11
A court in Kerala has deferred the framing of charges against the Augustine brothers, who are accused of fraud in a high-profile timber-felling case. The delay follows a request by the accused to wait for a High Court decision regarding their trial proceedings.
Why it matters
This case is a significant legal development in the ongoing investigation into the illegal felling of protected trees in Wayanad.
The Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Chottanikkara, on Monday (September 7, 2026) postponed the framing of charges against the Augustine brothers in the cheating case linked to the Muttil tree-felling scandal in Wayanad, Kerala, to September 11.
The adjournment followed a plea by the accused seeking suspension of proceedings until the Kerala High Court considers their request to stay trial court proceedings on Tuesday (September 8, 2026).
The three accused – Roji Augustine, Jose Kutty Augustine, and Anto Augustine – face charges in a case registered by the Ambalamedu police on a petition filed by M.M. Aliyar, proprietor of Malabar Timber Industries, Karimugal, alleging fraud in the sale of timber from illegally felled trees in 2021.
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