BJP MP Pratap Simha’s brother arrested in ‘tree felling’ case

'The accused is being taken to Hassan-Belur for further necessary action as per law,' the Forest Department said in a statement issued on Saturday.

Bengaluru: Mysuru-Kodagu BJP MP Pratap Simha’s brother Vikram Simha was arrested on Saturday by forest officials for allegedly felling trees illegally in Hassan district.

A joint team headed by Assistant Conservator of Forests (Hassan), Dr Prabhugouda Biradar, the Investigation Officer (IO) with the help and assistance of ACP (Crime Cell), Bengaluru, arrested Vikram from Bengaluru.

“The accused is being taken to Hassan-Belur for further necessary action as per law,” the Forest Department said in a statement.

“In the matter of FoC No. 32/2023-24 dated 16.12.2023 of Belur Range, Hassan division the suspect Vikram Simha came for his statement before the IO, but subsequently avoided his presence before the IO. Since his presence was essential, the IO found it necessary to secure his presence. Available documentary evidence also hinted his involvement in the above-mentioned crime.”

The department said that electronic surveillance indicated Vikram had left Hassan and was in Bengaluru.

“He was avoiding phone calls from the IO and moving suspiciously incognito. A plainclothes team of forest personnel had travelled to Bengaluru and keeping an eye on the possible movements of the suspect.

“Since Bengaluru is a big and populated city, it was decided to take help from the local police. The Police Commissioner, Bengaluru, extended full cooperation by providing men and technical surveillance support,” the forest department added.

The incident came to light on December 16 when Belur tahsildar Mamata alerted the Forest Department of the tree felling. It was alleged that 126 trees were axed on land in Nandagodanahalli in Hassan’s Belur taluk.

A First Information Report (FIR) was subsequently registered against one Jayamma and Rakesh Shetty. Officials also seized one power chainsaw, a tractor and a trailer.

Hassan Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF) D Mohan Kumar later submitted a report to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) stating that the area had ‘gomala’ (pasture) and private land.

The FIR also had an agreement between Vikram and Jayamma for leasing the 3 acre 10 gunta of land for ginger cultivation. Meanwhile, objections were raised by activists that an “influential person” was not named because of political pressure.

Hassan DCF D Mohan Kumar, Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) Prabhugouda Biradar, Range Forest Officer (RFO) Vinay Kumar, Deputy RFO Gururaj D Deputy and forest guard Raghukumar H B, were subsequently suspended in connection with the case.

No one is bigger than law: Khandre

Forest Minister Eshwar B Khandre on Saturday said that the 126 axed trees included those between 50-60 years and that illegally felling trees was a crime.

“No one is bigger than the law,” Khandre told reporters in Bidar. “I don’t wish to name anyone. However, one Vikram Simha had an agreement to grow ginger on the said land. Hence, the officials deemed it necessary to detain and question him and he has been arrested.”

The minister said that the negligence of some of the forest department staff was also found. “Five officials have already been suspended for dereliction of duty by not taking prompt action and not taking action as per the law.”