KOLHAPUR: The forest department laid a trap and arrested two people from Karad in Satara district while they were trying to sell tiger and leopard nails.
Dinesh Babulalji Rawal (38), resident of Somwar Peth in Karad, and Anup Arun Revankar (36), resident of Ravivar Peth in Karad were arrested on Monday evening by the forest department.
A case under the various sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, has been registered against them. On Tuesday, they were produced in the civil court of S S Vankore, judicial magistrate first class court, and were remanded in forest custody till August 20, 2021.
A total of 11 nails, including one of a tiger with locket, have been seized by the forest officials. A bigger interstate racket is expected to be involved, the forest department officials said.
Investigating officer in this case, Mahesh Zanjurne, assistant conservator of forests, said, “The forest department and wildlife crime control bureau officials were closely monitoring the two suspects for the past few days. On Monday, Dinesh Rawal came near a shop at Krushna Naka in Karad with two tiger nails and was caught in a trap laid by us. Later, another accused Anup Revankar was taken into custody from a shop in Ravivar Peth area of Karad, where eight tiger/leopard nails were found with him. A chain locket with tiger nail was also found during further investigation.”
Honorary wildlife warden from Karad Rohan Bhate said, “Killing a wild animal is a criminal offense. Likewise, killing a tiger or leopard and using their nails or teeth as chain lockets is also non-bailable criminal offense. If anyone comes to know about these activities, they should inform the forest department or call at 9422004800 as soon as possible.”
