Sarpanch booked for illegal cutting of trees

Tribune News Service

Yamunanagar, May 27

The police have booked a former sarpanch for unauthorised cutting and selling of 3,104 trees from panchayat land in Kishanpur village of the district and embezzling Rs37.98 lakh in proceeds.

A case was registered against Suresh Walia under the IPC on the basis of a complaint filed by Narinder Kumar, Block Development and Panchayat Officer, Chhachhrauli.

In his plaint Kumar stated the accused had received a total sum of Rs42.95 lakh, of which Rs21.95 accrued from selling of tress and Rs21 lakh from the lease agreement of the panchayat land.

However, of the total sum, he deposited only Rs4.96 lakh with the office of the Block Development and Panchayat Officer, Chhachhrauli, embezzling the remaining amount.

The matter came to the fore after Ram Kumar, a resident of the village, lodged a complaint on October 28, 2015 on the CM window alleging illegal cutting and selling of trees.

Sources said involvement of persons associated with a cooperative society of the village was suspected in the case. The police investigation is under way.