Udupi: Two jailed for 10 years for illegal sandalwood transportation

By Subhas Marne
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 30 June 2011: Two persons who were arrested in 2009 while illegally transporting sandalwood, were ordered 10 years jail and rupees 1 lakh fine, by Udupi Court. The accused are Thimmappa Poojary (33) of Sawanthoor Grama Shivamoga district and Sanjeeva Madivala (40) Ajiikatte of Udupi Taluk were transporting 10 kg stump of sandalwood and 8 kg pieces in two gunny bags in the government land at Bajwalu of Perdur Grama of Udupi Taluk on 24 June 2009.

 

With a confirmed information on this, the Forest department Hebri Zone Forester Baskara K. and his staff seized and along with the sandalwood arrested Thimmappa Poojary. At that time Sanjeeva Madivala escaped, but was arrested later.

 

The case was registered, after investigation, on Wednesday as the crime was proved based on the crime witnesses, Judge S. L. Patil ordered 5 years jail and Rs. 50,000 for each of the 2 crimes, Karnataka forest rule column 86 (illegal possession) and column 87 (illegal transportation) of sandalwood. That means each accused is ordered with 10 years jail and rupees 1 lakh fine. Government Lawyer T. S. Chitoory had contended on behalf of the government.