Representative image. A special court sentenced three men to five years in jail for smuggling red sanders from the Seshachalam forest in Tirupati district.
| Photo Credit: menonsstocks
The Red Sanders Special (RSS) Additional District Judge (ADJ) Court judge A. Narasimha Murthy on Monday (July 13, 2026) sentenced three smugglers to five years’ imprisonment for smuggling red sanders, and imposed a fine of ₹3 lakh on each.
Gunishetti Puttalayya (38) of Anasampalli village in Renigunta mandal, Tirupati district, and Petluri Rajayya (30) and Gaddamvari Manikanta (27), both of Nellutlavaripalli village in Chinnagottigallu mandal in the same district, were convicted.
The case was registered at the Bhakarapeta police station in 2017 by the then Sub-Inspector G. Chandra Mohan and his team. The accused had illegally entered the Seshachalam reserve forest area and smuggled red sandalwood.
The case was presented in court through the ‘Good Trial Monitoring’ mechanism, and the conviction followed the submission of strong evidence.
SP L. Subbarayudu said, “Protecting forest wealth is everyone’s responsibility. District police will continue to take uncompromising, strict action against forest-related crimes such as red sandalwood smuggling.”
“The public should cooperate by immediately informing the police about any suspicious activities. The police aim to ensure that offenders are punished through effective investigation and robust court proceedings,” he added.
Published – July 14, 2026 11:52 am IST
