Pune News: Two Held For Attempting To Sell Leopard Skin And Claws
Pune News: Two Held For Attempting To Sell Leopard Skin And Claws
Pune, July 10: In a major crackdown on wildlife crime, the Maharashtra Forest Department arrested two men for allegedly attempting to sell leopard skin and other body parts in Pune. The operation was carried out on Wednesday (July 8) following a tip-off, leading to the seizure of a leopard skin, 15 claws, and two canine teeth.
The accused have been identified as Adesh Revji Pardhi (25) and Shubham Balu Pardhi (21), both residents of Varkhede Dingore village in Junnar taluka of Pune district.
Acting on specific intelligence, forest officials laid a trap near Purple Café in the Sangamwadi area and caught the duo red-handed while allegedly trying to sell the wildlife contraband. A case has been registered under the relevant provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
The accused were produced before a court, which remanded them to four days of police custody. The Forest Department has launched a detailed investigation to trace the interstate and inter-district wildlife trafficking network and identify other individuals involved in the illegal trade.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of Chief Conservator of Forests Ashish Thakare, Deputy Conservator of Forests Abhijeet Vaikos, Divisional Forest Officer Amol Thorat, and Assistant Conservator of Forests Vishal Chavan. The trap was executed by a team led by Range Forest Officers Hrishikesh Chavan and Nandkumar Patil, with the assistance of several forest guards and personnel.
Deputy Conservator of Forests Abhijeet Vaikos said the department acted immediately after receiving credible information about the trafficking of leopard body parts.
“The investigation is underway, and efforts are being made to identify others involved in the wildlife trafficking network. Hunting and trafficking of wild animals are serious offences. Citizens should immediately report any suspicious wildlife-related activities to the Forest Department or call the wildlife helpline at 1926,” Vaikos said.
