Panchkula, April 29 -- A day after a forest fire was triggered after some tourists tossed a burning cigarette into dry pine needles in the Morni protected forest area, the forest department has decided to prosecute the accused under the Indian Forest Act.

The Chandimandir police station has already booked two persons -- Saurabh and Prabhjeet -- under Sections 326(F) (using fire or explosives to harm any property), 221 (obstructing public servant in discharge of duty), 351(2) (criminal intimidation), and 132 (use of criminal force against public service) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). They have already been let off on bail.

District forest officer (DFO) Vishal Kaushik, who is also the complainant in the police case, said they are ...