BJP MP Pratap Simha's brother arrested for illegally cutting trees, smuggling: Report

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Pratap Simha was recently in the news over his connection with the Parliament security breach incident on December 13. The visitor pass was issued to one of the security breach accused in the name of BJP MP from Mysuru Pratap Simha. According to India Today, Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre confirmed Vikram Simha's arrest and said authorities held him for illegally cutting 126 trees and selling the wood in the Hassan district.

"They have cut nearly 126 big trees which were as old as 50 to 60 years. This is a criminal act. (The) Forest Conservation Act is there, (the) Tree Conservation Act is there, he has violated all of these...," Eshwar Khandre was quoted as saying.

ALSO READ: US man ‘illegally’ chops 32 trees of his neighbor, now faces ₹12 crore penalty Meanwhile, Simha refuted allegations. He was quoted by News 18 Kannada as saying, "I have not cut down any tree, it has nothing to do with me. But I had contracted that land for one year from July 24 to grow ginger..." He said the allegations were "politically motivated".

reported that Vikram Simha is being taken to Hassan from Jarakabande Kaval Forest Camp in Jalahalli, Gangamma Circle, Bengaluru. ALSO READ: Environment ministry asks states to prevent illegal felling of trees The state forest department filed an FIR against Vikram Simha on charges of cutting trees without permission from the authorities and smuggling wood in the Nandagondanahalli village, India Today reported. The forest land, where the trees were chopped down, was owned by the government and allotted to two people.