Five forest staff suspended in Tirupattur over red sanders theft

Five forest staff attached to Tirupattur forest range were suspended on Thursday in connection with the theft of 1.75 tonnes of red sanders, estimated at around ₹50 lakh, from the Government Sandalwood Depot in Tirupattur town a few days ago.

Forest officials said that M. Mahendran, District Forest Officer (DFO), Tirupattur, has suspended the staff concerned based on an inquiry. They were identified as N. Jothilingam, Head Forest Guard; Forest Guards R. Mohan Kumar, P. Rammurthy, and C. Renu; and P. Paramaguru, forester.

Forest officials said that the suspended staff were on duty on July 18 when the incident took place in the depot. During a routine inspection of stocks in the depot, a team of forest officials found that a total of 55 wooden logs of red sanders, which weighed around 1.75 tonnes, were missing.

Forest officials said that the government depot is used to store sandalwood and red sanders that were seized from smugglers during surprise checks in areas on Tamil Nadu - Andhra Pradesh border. Later, the seized wooden logs are used to make incense sticks.

Based on a complaint by forest officials, a case was registered by Tirupattur town police. Special teams have been formed to nab the suspects and recover the lost wooden logs. Further probe is under way.

Meanwhile, forest officials seized two wooden logs from a rented house at Somanaickenpatti village near Jolarpet town in Tirupattur on Thursday. Two suspects, V. Chandru, 39, and N. Rajiv Gandhi, 43, were arrested in connection with the seizure of red sander logs, which are estimated to be worth around three lakh rupees. A case has been registered and further probe is under way.