Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 27: High Court has upheld the PSA of Manzoor Sheikh, an alleged timber smuggler.
The detention order bearing No.DMB/PSA/04 of 2020 dated 29th of August, 2020 was passed by District Magistrate Budgam whereby the petitioner has been placed under preventive detention with a view to prevent him from acting in any manner prejudicial to the preservation of forest wealth.
After hearing both the sides, Justice Sanjeev Kumar observed, “undoubtedly as per the material collected and supplied by the Forest Authorities, the petitioner is a habitual smuggler of timber and has over the period of time engaged in transporting, concealing and keeping smuggled timber in his possession”.
“The communication of Divisional Forest Officer, Pir Panjal Forest Division, Budgam, submitted to the detaining authority is quite elaborate and contains, in detail, the activities of the petitioner aimed at inflicting damage to the forests”, High Court said, adding “as per three FIRs registered against him from time to time, the petitioner is alleged to have stolen 775 cft of Kail/Fir wood from the forests and caused damage to the tune of Rs 5,62,500”.
“The manner in which he has organized his gang and conducts his activities leaves one without any doubt that the petitioner is a habitual smuggler and three criminal cases registered against him have not proved any deterrence to him”, Justice Kumar said, adding “it is true that preventive detention is resorted to only when emergency of the situation warrants such action, otherwise the law of the land is sufficient to deal with those indulging in criminal activities including criminal act of causing damage to the forests by indulging in timber smuggling”.
With these observations, court dismissed the petition.
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