RSASTF Achieves 87.5% Conviction Rate In Red Sanders Cases In 2025
Courts disposed of 32 cases in 2025, resulting in 25 convictions, four acquittals and three cases being abated. The 87.5 per cent conviction rate is the highest recorded since the inception of RSASTF.
TIRUPATI: The Red Sanders Anti-Smuggling Task Force (RSASTF), Tirupati, registered 64 cases and arrested 263 persons in 2025, achieving a conviction rate of 87.5 per cent, according to its annual crime performance report.
Presenting the report at a press conference here on Saturday, Tirupati district SP and head of RSASTF L. Subba Rayudu said the task force focused on intelligence-driven enforcement, sustained field operations and close follow-up of cases in courts to curb red sanders smuggling, which continues to pose a serious challenge due to organised inter-State networks and high international demand.
Apart from fresh cases registered during the year, RSASTF traced and arrested 52 absconding accused involved in cases booked between 2016 and 2024. During enforcement operations, the task force seized 1,872 red sanders logs weighing 35,476 kg and confiscated 63 vehicles, including cars and lorries, used for smuggling activities.
Subba Rayudu said RSASTF conducted 920 operations in 2025, including 816 entry and exit point checks, 24 day combing operations and 80 special “0+1” combing operations in vulnerable forest areas. He added that young and physically fit police personnel below 40 years of age were deployed for forest duties, with teams covering up to 10 km of forest terrain per day, including night halts at logistics and utility points.
During the year, 212 non-bailable warrants were executed and 52 absconding accused were arrested. Geo-mapping of absconders and continuous raids at their residences helped strengthen prosecution and court proceedings, the SP said.
Courts disposed of 32 cases in 2025, resulting in 25 convictions, four acquittals and three cases being abated. The 87.5 per cent conviction rate is the highest recorded since the inception of RSASTF. He also said two cases were booked under the Preventive Detention Act against habitual smugglers, and steps were initiated for the attachment of properties linked to red sanders smuggling.
Inter-State operations were conducted in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat and New Delhi, leading to seizures valued at around ₹16.5 crore. Ten most-wanted smugglers were arrested during the year.
Chief Conservator of Forests S. Selvam, Tirupati DFO V. Sai Baba, DFO (Flying Squad) K. Ramakonda Reddy, ASPs J. Kulasekhar, DSPs V. Srinivas Reddy and Md. Shareef, and ACF J. Srinivas were present.