Jharsuguda Forest Division Seizes 287 kg Kendu Leaves, Two Arrested in Smuggling Case

Jharsuguda: The Belpahar Forest Division in Jharsuguda district seized 2 quintals and 87 kilograms of kendu leaves and impounded an auto-rickshaw during a late-night operation near the Belpahar Durga Temple.

Two persons have been arrested in connection with the alleged smuggling attempt. The accused have been identified as Saidul Bibi (39), a resident of West Bengal, and Javed Khan (34), the auto-rickshaw driver from Jharsuguda. Both were later produced before a local court.

Belpahar Range Officer Pradeep Nayak said the estimated value of the seized kendu leaves is around ₹1.5 lakh.

According to forest department officials, the team acted on a specific tip-off that kendu leaves were being illegally transported in an auto-rickshaw from Jharsuguda towards Belpahar. Acting on instructions from the Range Officer, a forest team tracked the vehicle and intercepted it near the Durga Temple area.

During questioning, the accused reportedly told officials that the kendu leaves were procured from Rajpur and that they had travelled by train from Kharagpur before arranging transport.

Further investigation into the case is currently underway, officials said.