TIRUPATI: The Red Sanders Anti-Smuggling Task Force (RSASTF) in Tirupati has initiated steps to invoke Section 60 of the Andhra Pradesh Forest Act, 1967 to seize movable and immovable assets of habitual red sanders smugglers across the country.
The task force is particularly focusing on curbing the activities of international smuggling syndicates that illegally transport red sanders logs through Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and even up to Delhi under the licit trade.
In the first phase, the task force has targeted the assets of a key kingpin from Tamil Nadu who is involved in multiple red sanders smuggling cases.
Under the direction of Task Force Superintendent of Police (SP) P Srinivas, officials are working to legally attach and seize properties acquired through smuggling activities. The move is aimed at effectively controlling red sanders smuggling in the Seshachalam forests.
The Andhra Pradesh Forest Act, 1967, which has been in force for over five decades, is the principal legislation governing the protection, conservation, regulation and management of forests and forest produce in the state.
Section 60 of the Act provides provisions to prevent forest offences such as illegal felling, transportation and smuggling of red sanders, timber and other forest produce.
On lines similar to the powers exercised by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Section 60 enables authorities to seize the assets of habitual offenders involved in red sanders smuggling.
For the first time since the establishment of the task force unit in Tirupati 16 years ago, officials are fully preparing to implement this provision strictly, in addition to regular legal procedures such as registration of cases, prosecution, conviction and imposition of fines.
Following directions of the Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, senior forest department officials have also expressed interest in strictly enforcing this provision to curb red sanders smuggling.
Speaking to TNIE, Task Force SP P Srinivas said, “Our officers have begun collecting detailed information about notorious kingpins, including their personal details and property records. As per the procedure under Section 60 of the AP Forest Act, a Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) will be appointed to conduct an inquiry to legally establish that a smuggler has been repeatedly involved in red sanders smuggling offences.”
He further stated that the appointed Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), acting as the inquiry officer, will submit a detailed report along with a panchanama of the properties. The report will then be forwarded to the Head of the Forest Force and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Amaravati.
Upon due verification, the PCCF will issue a notification for the seizure of assets proven to have been acquired through red sanders smuggling activities.
At present, the Tirupati Task Force police are working discreetly on completing the legal formalities, and the implementation process is expected to be set in motion shortly.