Muttil tree-felling case: Kerala High Court upholds cheating charges against Augustine brothers

The Kerala High Court has refused to interfere with the order of the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Chottanikkara, dismissing the discharge petition of Jose Kutty Augustine and Anto Augustine, the accused in a cheating case connected to the Muttil tree-felling case.

The cheating case had alleged that the accused deceived M.M. Aliyar of Ernakulam by selling timber which reportedly was illegally cut and transported from Meppadi Forest Range in Wayanad. Mr. Aliyar was allegedly led to believe that the timber had the requisite permits issued by the Forest department.

Mr. Augustine argued that the permit referred to by Mr. Aliyar was not required for the transportation of the timber sold and that the charges were unsustainable. Mr. Aliyar contended that he was convinced by the accused that the timber sold to him was not in any offence or violation of the procedures prescribed by law.