Three poachers held for killing leopard

06-07-2008

Three poachers held for killing leopard

Indian Express By Sibte Husain Bukhari

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Three-poachers-held-for-killing-leopard/332044/

 

Junagadh, July 05 Three people were arrested and put behind bars on Thursday in a poaching related incident that happened two months ago on the outskirts of Simar village in Jashadhar forest range under Gir east Forest division. On May 3, the carcass of a leopard aged about six years was found lying in an agricultural field in the area.

 

According to forest officials, the poachers had laid a trap at a barbed wire fencing erected around the land owned by a farmer named Madhav Ladumor. The hapless leopard was trapped and succumbed to severe abdominal injuries. The post mortem report confirmed death by injury.

 

Detailed investigation revealed three names—Dhiru Dabhi, Babu Dabhi and Bhagwan Makawana—as suspects. But the trio went underground avoiding arrest. On Thursday, forest officials got a tip off and nabbed the accused. They have been booked under the various provisions in the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The leopard is a Schedule 1 animal, and killing a protected animal is a serious offence liable for punishment up to seven years rigorous imprisonment or fine of Rs. 25,000 or both.

 

The Assistant Conservator of Forest, J S Solanki, confirmed the arrest and said, "The trio have admitted their crime. On Thursday evening, they were produced before the court of the Judicial Magistrate (first class), Una town. They had filed for bail but the court rejected it and remanded them in judicial custody."