Sandalwood trees stolen from Nagabana in Udupi: Accused arrested, property seized

Udupi: A man was taken into custody by the Udupi forest department for illegally felling sandalwood trees.

The accused has been identified as Ashok, a resident of Moodubelle.

He allegedly cut the sandalwood trees that were growing at the Nagabana (sacred grove) in CPC Layout behind Shyamili Auditorium in Ambalapady on the night of January 25.

About 43 kg of raw sandalwood has been seized from the accused. The accused was produced in court which has remanded him to judicial custody.

Based on a tip-off, A team led by Udupi Range In-charge Deputy Range Forest Officer Keshav Poojary M,conducted an operation and arrested the accused.