The Bihar Human Rights Commission (BHRC) has fined a police officer in Gopalganj of Rs.25,000 for illegally felling a 'jamun' (blackberry) tree before selling it.
Sub-inspector Uday Narayan Singh allegedly cut the tree, but did not record this in the police station as is required by the law.
The matter came to light when Janak Dubey, a resident of Gopalganj, filed a complaint with the human rights panel, alleging that Singh, in connivance with his neighbour, had felled the tree.
The BHRC then directed Gopalganj superintendent of police to investigate the matter and submit a report.
In course of his investigation the SP found that Singh did cut the tree and take it away.
According to BHRC member Neelmani, it was also found that sub inspector Singh did not record the matter in the police station diary and the tree was not found in the station either.
The sub inspector's explanation in this regard was also unsatisfactory, Neelmani added. Singh also did not appear before the BHRC despite repeated summons.
The BHRC then ordered the sub inspector to pay the compensation to the owner of the tree.
The BHRC has also directed the police to initiate a departmental action against the sub inspector.
Over the years Bihar has lost much of its green cover, particularly after Jharkhand was carved out of the state. Keeping that in mind, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has launched a drive to increase the green cover to 35 percent.
--IANS
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