Team of forest officers to probe Murugan case

Shimoga, March 31, DHNS :,

Mar 31 2011, 23:22 ist
updated: Mar 31 2011, 23:22 ist

Officers of the Lokayukta and the forest department had on Wednesday, raided Murugan’s government quarters in the city and seized teak wood measuring 126.98 cubic feet and worth Rs 3,17,450, which was illegally stored there.

Wood of other trees were also found in extensive operations that lasted till evening on Thursday.

A licence, claimed to be of the Hirekerur range forest, was shown during the raid, and the investigation officers have expressed doubts about it.
There are also apprehensions on whether the four other licences produced by Murugan’s wife Shubha are legal.

“The probe team has submitted a report of 20 pages. The report will be closely scrutinised and sent to the concerned range forest for further action,” Brijesh Kumar told Deccan Herald.

Following Wednesday’s raid Murugan’s house, irregularities allegedly committed by him during his tenure as Superintendent of Police (SP) in the district are coming out one by one.

Earlier, Murugan’s quarters was at Jayanagar.

Only a few months ago, he had shifted to a new house beside the SP’s office.
Police sources said that the door frames and window frames of police quarters behind the Ripponpet police station had gone missing three months ago, and it is alleged that they had been transported to Murugan’s house.

Takes charge as DIGP

According to the CID sources in Bangalore, Murugan has taken charge as the Deputy Inspector General of Police (economic offences), CID, Bangalore.

Asked whether the Lokayukta police would be taking any action, Lokayukta ADGP Roop Kumar Dutta said, “The case is being handled by the forest department and not by the Lokayukta police. We have not given any reference to the forest department. The department had sought our help in terms of police protection and hence, our men were present when the raid was conducted. The department has to send its report to the government and not to us”.

Sources in the Department of Personnel and Administration Reforms said that it had no communication or report from the forest department or any other source to pursue the case.