Pune: 201 kg of Sandalwood Seized in Forest Department Raid in Junnar; Accused Absconding
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Junnar, 7th May 2025: In a major crackdown on illegal sandalwood trade, the Forest Department seized over 201 kg of sandalwood during a raid at Jadhavwadi in Bori Budruk, Junnar, on May 6. The accused, identified as Lahu Somnath Dhule, fled the scene and is currently absconding, officials confirmed.
The operation was launched by the Forest Range Office Otur after receiving a tip-off about the unlawful transportation of sandalwood, a protected forest produce under the Indian Forest Act, 1927. Acting swiftly on the intelligence received on May 3, forest officials laid a trap in the Jadhavwadi area.
“At around 8 p.m., the suspect came out of his house in a white Creta four-wheeler. As we attempted to inspect the vehicle, he fled in the dark, taking the car keys with him,” said Lahu Vitthal Thokal, Forest Range Officer, Otur. “We managed to confiscate his mobile phone at the scene.”
Upon inspecting the vehicle in the presence of local witnesses (panchas), officials discovered eight sacks containing sandalwood pieces, weighing a total of 201.057 kg, along with an electronic weighing scale, a mobile phone, and the four-wheeler used for transportation.
“Sandalwood is a notified forest produce, and any form of its illegal transportation, trade, or storage is a serious offence under the law,” stated Amrit Shide, Assistant Conservator of Forests, Junnar. “Four separate teams have been dispatched to track down the accused, and he will be arrested soon.”
The Forest Department has registered a case against Lahu Dhule under Sections 41(2B), 42, and 69 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, and Rules 31, 32, 53, and 82 of the Maharashtra Forest Rules, 2014. The violations carry a punishment of up to two years in prison and a fine of ₹5,000.
The raid was carried out under the guidance of Deputy Conservator of Forests Amol Satpute, with support from forest officers, guards, and personnel from the Alephata Police Station, Pune rural police.
