Over 10 tonnes of illegal timber worth Rs 1 lakh seized in Dewas

Indore: Dewas forest department, with help of local police, seized a truck illegally transporting over 10 tonnes of timber estimated to be worth Rs 1 lakh in Pipalrawa area of Dewas district.

The action was initiated after police received a tip-off that a truck was smuggling timber from Bhuteshwar area towards Indore. Acting on the information, a Dial-112 police team, including constable Rajendra, intercepted the vehicle near Mundalwada intersection.

During inspection, the truck driver, Arvind Giri, a resident of Shujalpur, failed to produce any valid transit permits or documentation for the timber. Following his failure to provide legal paperwork, the police team alerted the forest department.

Deputy ranger Hemraj Gokhale said forest officials prepared a panchnama (spot memo) at the scene and registered a formal case under relevant forestry laws.

The enforcement team, led by Gokhale, seized the truck and timber. The vehicle was taken to Balgarh depot for secure storage. “The forest department has initiated a comprehensive investigation to trace the source of the illegal timber and uncover any broader network involved in its transit. Further legal proceedings against the accused are underway,” Gokhale said.