Archive · 31 Jul 2026
Tamil Nadu Smuggler Sentenced to Five Years in Prison
A man named Annamalai Murugesan from Salem in Tamil Nadu was caught smuggling a special kind of tree called red sanders.
The court in Tirupati found him guilty and gave him a five‑year jail sentence and a fine of 6 lakh rupees.
He was supposed to appear in court but didn’t, so a warrant was issued.
After he was arrested, he was sent to Nellore Central Prison.
The task force said the case shows how the law will stop people from stealing these trees.
Annamalai Murugesan, Salem district resident, convicted of smuggling red sanders logs.
Sentenced by Tirupati red sanders special court to five years imprisonment and Rs 6 lakh fine.
Case involved transport from Bhimavaram forest beat, Chittoor east forest division, 2017.
Non‑bailable warrant issued after Murugesan failed to appear; later arrested and lodged in Nellore Central Prison.
Task Force SP P. Srinivas praised prosecution’s evidence and said verdict deters future smuggling.
- Who
- Annamalai Murugesan, a resident of Salem district, Tamil Nadu
- What
- Convicted of smuggling red sanders logs and sentenced to five years imprisonment with a Rs 6 lakh fine
- Where
- Tirupati red sanders special court, Seshachalam Reserve Forest area
- Why
- To punish illegal smuggling and deter future offenses
- Accused
- Annamalai Murugesan
- Court
- Tirupati red sanders special court
- Sentence
- 5 years imprisonment
- Fine
- Rs 6 lakh
- Forest Division
- Bhimavaram forest beat, Chittoor east forest division
- Prison
- Nellore Central Prison