Kerala High Court Upholds Cheating Charges Against Augustine Brothers in Muttil Tree-Felling Case

The Kerala High Court has refused to interfere with a lower court's order that dismissed the discharge petition filed by Jose Kutty Augustine and Anto Augustine, the accused in a cheating case linked to the Muttil tree-felling scandal. The Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Chottanikkara, had earlier rejected their plea to drop the charges.

The cheating case stems from allegations that the Augustine brothers deceived M.M. Aliyar of Ernakulam by selling timber that was reportedly illegally cut and transported from the Meppadi Forest Range in Wayanad. Mr. Aliyar was allegedly led to believe that the timber had the necessary permits from the Forest Department.

During the proceedings, the Augustine brothers argued that the permit mentioned by Mr. Aliyar was not required for transporting the timber they sold, and therefore the charges were baseless. However, Mr. Aliyar maintained that he was convinced by the accused that the timber was legally obtained and transported.

The High Court, in its order, found no merit in the contentions raised by the Augustine brothers. It noted that an investigation by the Forest Department had revealed that the accused did not have the right or authority to transport and sell the timber in question. Justice G. Girish observed that the offence of cheating could be prima facie established from the facts of the case.

Jose Kutty Augustine and Anto Augustine, along with their brother Roji Augustine, are the primary accused in the larger Muttil tree-felling case. They are alleged to have been involved in the illegal smuggling of protected rosewood and teak trees worth ₹8 crore from assigned lands in Muttil South, Wayanad, without permission from the Revenue Department.