Forest Department Arrests Accused in Junnar Reserve Forest Fire Case, Crackdown on Arson Continues

The Forest Department has arrested several accused for allegedly setting fire to a government reserve forest in Junnar taluka, damaging large forest areas, plantations and wildlife habitat

Pune | 09 March, 2026: The Forest Department has intensified its crackdown on forest arson after arresting multiple accused involved in deliberately setting fire to a government reserve forest in Junnar taluka of Pune district.

According to officials, the incident took place on March 7 when a group of individuals from Mangenwadi in Khamgaon allegedly entered the government reserve forest in compartment number 84 of the Khamgaon forest area and set fire to dry forest vegetation. The blaze reportedly destroyed a significant portion of forest land, plantations and natural wildlife habitat.Following the incident, a case was registered against the accused under Section 26(1)(b) of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 for trespassing and causing damage to a protected forest area.

Forest department personnel launched an immediate search operation. Two accused, Karan Haribhau Pardhi and Akshay Santosh Jadhav, were chased and arrested during the night after a difficult pursuit by forest guards and staff.

However, three other suspects Akshay Namdev Khandagale, Karan Baju Kedari and Sainath Babu Khandagale, all residents of Mangenwadi in Junnar taluka initially managed to escape from the spot taking advantage of darkness. After being produced before the Judicial Magistrate First Class court in Junnar, the arrested accused were remanded to police custody.Subsequently, the Forest Department team conducted further searches and succeeded in apprehending the remaining absconding accused. Officials also inspected the affected forest area and documented the extent of damage caused by the fire.

On Sunday, two of the accused were again produced before the Judicial Magistrate First Class in Junnar, where the court granted one day of police custody for further investigation.

Forest Range Officer Pradeep Chavan stated that illegal entry into reserved forests and setting fires are serious offences under the Indian Forest Act, carrying penalties including imprisonment of up to two years and fines. Authorities warned that strict action will be taken against anyone involved in similar activities.

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