Illegal Timber Smuggling Using Fake Certificates Uncovered in Dharampur; Two Arrested
Dharampur, May 11:
In a major crackdown on illegal timber trade, the Dharampur police intercepted two trucks near the Jabli area during a routine checkpoint and seized a large quantity of wood being transported with forged documentation.The first truck (HP-64B-0757), driven by Gurudev Singh, was allegedly transporting timber poles (balan) to Yamunanagar, Haryana. When questioned, the driver presented a certificate issued by a person named Jeet Ram and a permit purportedly signed by the Range Forest Officer of Arki. However, upon close examination, officials found that the documents lacked any official seals from the Forest Department, raising immediate suspicion about their authenticity.
The second truck (HP-24C-0212), driven by Manoj Kumar, was found to be carrying a substantial load of timber but had no valid documents whatsoever. Both vehicles were immediately impounded, and a detailed investigation was launched.
Preliminary findings revealed that the wood had been felled from Jeet Ram’s private land and was being smuggled under the cover of night to Haryana in two separate vehicles. The key figure behind the operation was identified as Hari Singh, who had fabricated a fake certificate and handed it over to Gurudev Singh to facilitate the smuggling.
Police have arrested both Gurudev Singh and Hari Singh, and a chargesheet has been filed in court. Manoj Kumar, however, was not found to be criminally complicit in the operation; hence, no criminal proceedings were initiated against him. Nonetheless, a report on his involvement has been forwarded to the Forest Department for further action.
This operation is being hailed as a significant step toward protecting forest resources. The Superintendent of Police confirmed the details and reiterated the department’s commitment to taking strict action against illegal logging and smuggling in the region.
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