Panchkula: Forest department officials caught one person and booked several others after 29 green khair trees worth Rs 12.83 lakh were allegedly felled illegally in the Jaunpur beat of the Morni-Pinjore forest division. The accused, identified as Anwar of Himachal Pradesh’s Palhori village, was apprehended at the spot, while four to five others fled. Based on his disclosure, the department identified five more suspects, including alleged kingpin Shakeel alias Mathu of Pinjore. An FIR has been registered under provisions of the Indian Forest Act and BNS. Officials said further investigation is under way to trace others involved in the transportation and disposal of the illegally felled trees.
