Muttil tree-felling case: Setback to Augustine brothers as Kerala HC dismisses plea to stay proceedings before Chottanikkara court
The Kerala High Court has dismissed a plea by the Augustine brothers to stay trial proceedings in a cheating case related to the Muttil tree-felling scandal. The court ordered the Chottanikkara magistrate to begin proceedings and conclude the case within six months.
Why it matters
The case is a high-profile legal matter involving environmental crimes and allegations of fraud, highlighting judicial efforts to expedite long-standing litigation.
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (September 15, 2026) dismissed the petition by the Augustine brothers in the cheating case in connection with the Muttil tree-felling case. The petition had sought a stay on the trial proceedings before the Judicial First Class Magistrate, Chottanikkara, until a final report was filed before the Judicial First Class Magistrate, Sulthan Batery, Wayanad.
Justice C.S. Dias directed the Chottanikkara court to commence the proceedings in the case from September 22 and dispose of the matter within six months.
The Forest Department had registered a case against the Augustine brothers before the Sulthan Bathery court pertaining to the illegal felling of rosewood trees in Muttil South Village. Additionally, another case was filed based on a complaint by M.M. Aliyar, proprietor of Malabar Timber Industries, alleging that the brothers had defrauded Mr. Aliyar by offering to sell him timber worth ₹1.4 crore with all requisite permissions.
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