Builder fined Rs 4,000 for Forest Act violations

A local builder has been fined Rs 4,000 by a local court for violation of Forest Act.

The court of Judicial Magistrate First Class AG Deshingkar found Yogesh Puranik, one of the directors of Puranik Builders, guilty of the offences punishable under section 26(h) and (g) of the Forest Act, 1927 and fined him Rs 2000 on each count.

Representational pic.

It was the prosecution's case that the builder carried out illegal excavation on the reserved forest land under survey no 212 at Kavesar in the district.

The government counsel Sagar Kadam told the court that the accused had cleared the land on the reserved forest by cutting trees, in violation of the Forest regulations.

"After considering the nature of offence, the character of the accused and the circumstances in which offences have been committed, I am of the considered opinion that the accused be fined Rs 2000 on each count.

In addition to the fine, I hold that it is expedient to direct the accused to pay compensation of Rs 1500 to the complainant for illegal excavation of 500-550 brass of sand", the court said.u00a0

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