The forest department seized two tonnes of red sanders, estimated to be worth Rs 1.5 crore, from a house belonging to a former AIADMK union panchayat councilor at Mel Nagar village near Arani town in Tiruvannamalai. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Forest department officials seized two tonnes of red sanders, estimated to be worth around ₹1.5 crore, from a house belonging to a former AIADMK functionary at Mel Nagar village near Arani town in Tiruvannamalai.
Forest officials said that on a tip-off from residents, a police team from Kannamangalam police conducted a surprise search at the house where the team found 106 logs of red sanders. The house belongs to S. Ravi, former AIADMK councilor for Arani West Panchayat Union.
Initial investigation revealed that Ravi has been living in his daughter’s house for the past few years. He gave it to his nephew Rajesh, who is on the run, for his maintenance.
After the seizure, the police informed forest ranger Arani K. Pavanna, who inspected the house. The forest officials found that the seized wooden logs are high quality red sanders found in Chittoor and Tirupati forest areas.
The Kannamangalam police have registered a case against Rajesh, who has several criminal cases related to red sanders smuggling in Chittoor and Tirupati. Special teams were formed to catch him.
As per norms, the seized red grinders were sent to the government timber unit at Tirupattur for making incense sticks.
Published – 20 Nov 2025 0:57 IST
