Kannur(Keralam) | Keralam Forest Minister Shibu Baby John on Monday said he will examine the allegations that a "weak" chargesheet was filed in court by the Forest Department in the 2021 Muttil tree-felling case.
Speaking to reporters, John said that according to his knowledge, a chargesheet was returned by a court clerk due to some clerical errors.
"The errors were rectified and the chargesheet was again submitted on the next day. The allegations in connection with that can be examined," the minister said.
He also claimed that he has received a complaint by a person claiming to have witnessed the conspiracy behind the case.
"I have discussed the issue with the Chief Minister and Home Minister. This issue needs to be investigated. If there were any lapses in the chargesheet filed earlier, that too needs to be examined," John said.
Three brothers are accused in the case for selling timber which they had allegedly illegally cut and transported from Muttil village in Wayanad district.
The accused, one of whom is connected with a media house, have claimed that the allegations against them were unsustainable.
The Kerala High Court, however, in July this year had held that an offence of cheating was prima facie brought out from the facts and circumstances of the case.
