New Coimbatore police station: Farmer who chopped down sandalwood tree surrenders before cops

In a bizarre incident, a farmer approached police officials at a newly constructed station near Coimbatore asking to be arrested for cutting down a sandalwood tree in his farmland, the Times of India reported. The report added that the stunt was for authorities to pay him for a consignment of sandalwood he had sold five years ago, but had not been paid for the same.

The request came at a time when the cops were waiting for the arrival of a minister to inaugurate the new police station at Sulthanpet in the industrial town.  

According to the report, the farmer, Mohanraj, arrived on his moped with 10 kg of sandalwood. Initially, the officers were excited of having a farmers as their first complainant, but their excitement turned to amusement when he asked to be arrested for cutting down the tree, which, according to Indian laws, is illegal.

Later, the farmer told reporters that five years ago, he had sold 400 kg of sandalwood with the permission of the forest department. “I have been running from pillar to post to get the money for the sandalwood. So, to draw the attention of the officials concerned, I chopped down another sandalwood tree,” he said.

Following the drama, the cops assured him that they would raise the issue with the forest department.