Teak seized from tractor in Virur range; three booked under Forest Act for hiding timber in field

Illegal teak has been seized in the Virur forest range under the Central Chanda Forest Division in Chandrapur district. According to the Forest Department, the action took place on November 3. The tractor and the timber have been seized, and a case has been registered against three people under the Indian Forest Act, 1927.

According to the information available, forest officials were on routine patrol in the Devada sub-range of Virur range on November 3, 2026, when they spotted a suspicious tractor. The officials stopped it immediately and checked it thoroughly. Teak timber was found loaded in the tractor's trolley.

The tractor driver and the people present were asked for official documents and a permit for the timber. The accused, Baliram Shankar Mallelwar and Kundan Eknath Madavi, could not produce any document or permit and expressed their inability to do so. This made it clear that the timber was being transported without permission. Forest officials then seized the tractor, the trolley and the teak being carried, the entire consignment.

The accused, who were taken into custody, were questioned closely. According to the Forest Department, they said the teak had been hidden in the field of accused number 3, Uddhav Namdev Ubade, and that they had bought it from him. Ubade is a resident of Punaguda village in Jiwati tehsil, Chandrapur district. The confession is considered important in the case.

On November 4, a case was then registered against the three suspects under Forest Offence No. 08901/222502. Baliram Shankar Mallelwar, Kundan Eknath Madavi and Uddhav Namdev Ubade are accused of violating Sections 26(1)(F), 52(1), 41 and 42(1) of the Indian Forest Act, 1927.

The action was taken under the guidance of Yogesh Waghaye, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Central Chanda Forest Division, and Mangesh D. Girdkar, Sub-Divisional Forest Officer, Rajura. A team led by Mahesh B. Dighe, Range Forest Officer of Virur range, and other forest staff carried it out. The Forest Department said the action is a tough step against illegal tree felling and smuggling in the area, and has caused panic among timber smugglers. The Forest Department is conducting further investigation into the case.