Muttil tree felling case: Kerala HC reserves verdict on accused’s plea
The Kerala High Court has reserved its verdict on a plea by the Augustine brothers, who are accused in the Muttil tree felling case, regarding a stay on trial proceedings. The court vacated an interim order to allow the investigating officer to file a final report within 10 days.
Why it matters
The case involves significant environmental concerns regarding protected rosewood trees and allegations of fraud.
The Kerala High Court has reserved its verdict on the petition filed by the Augustine brothers, the accused in the Muttil tree felling case, seeking a stay of the trial proceedings before the Judicial First Class Magistrate, Chottanikkara. The High Court vacated the interim order on the proceedings to enable the investigating officer to file the final report within 10 days.
A Single Bench of Justice C.S. Dias observed that the court’s previous direction to file the final report in the Forest department’s charges only after obtaining the High Court’s permission was holding up the proceedings in both the Chottanikkara Court and the Sulthan Bathery Court.
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