Peter Van Geit gets bail in Theni forest fire case

The fire on March 11 had claimed 22 lives when the trekkers from across the state went on an expedition to Kozhukumalai in Kurangani hills near Bodi. 

The trekking party was caught in the midst of a raging forest fire from which they had neither the experience nor expertise to escape. After the furore that followed when allegations surfaced that the CTC that organised the trip flouted norms. Following this, the district police had booked Peter Van Geit, a Belgain national settled in India, under various charges.

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on April 12 had granted anticipatory bail to Van Geit, but directed him to remain in the country till the disposal of the case.

In his petition, Van Geit maintained that it was not he who organised the trek, though he was the founder of the Chennai-based club. It two volunteers, Divya Muthukumar and Nisha who were part of CTC,who organised the trekking expedition as part of International Women’s Day. He claimed that the team had obtained permission before venturing into the forest. So he prayed the court to grant him bail and to relive him from the case.

Bodi Judicial Magistrate R Manivasagan granted unconditional bail to Peter after hearing the case.