Vikram Simha, brother of BJP MP Pratap Simha, has been arrested.
He is accused of cutting about 126 trees and smuggling of wood. According to the report, this girl was sold in a village in Hassan district of the state, against which a case was registered.
This arrest was made by the Organized Crime Squad of Bengaluru’s City Crime Branch (CCB). But, later Simha’s custody was handed over to the state forest department officials.
BJP MP Pratap Simha recently came into media limelight when his visitor’s pass was used by those who infiltrated Parliament.
There was a lot of uproar about how he got the MP’s pass. At the same time, Vikram Simha is accused of cutting trees and smuggling of wood without permission from the authorities in Nandagondanahalli village.
The State Forest Department has registered an FIR against him in this case. This operation came to light when Tehsildar Mamta had gone on a tour of the village.
He came to know about such activities during this period. He alerted the authorities regarding this and also lodged an FIR.
Cattle pasture land spread over 12 acres
According to the report, the land on which the trees were cut is forest land. This was government-owned land which was allotted to two people.
This is cattle grazing land which is spread over 12 acres. State Forest Minister Ishwar Khandre has confirmed the arrest of Vikram Simha.
He said that Simha has been arrested by the authorities for illegally cutting 126 trees and selling the wood in Hassan district.
He said, ‘Simha cut about 126 trees which were 50-60 years old. This is a criminal act. There is Forest Conservation Act and this is a violation of Tree Conservation Act. Therefore, as soon as the matter came to light, the authorities took immediate action.