A trial court in Madhya Pradesh’s Seoni district ordered a three-year prison sentence and a fine of Rs 10,000 to fifteen people who were involved in pangolin poaching in Seoni district, Madhya Pradesh.
Seven other suspects labelled as proclaimed offenders
In this case, seven other suspects have also been labelled as proclaimed offenders. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by assistant conservator of forests (ACF) Ritesh Sirothia managed to capture the group. In March 2015, the then-additional principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), Suhas Kumar, and the then-principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), Narendra Kumar, formed the SIT.
Two range officials cracked the case
Shekar Sharma, a forester, and Nitin Nigam and Inder Singh Bare, two range officials was crucial in cracking the case. An officer expressed satisfaction with the decision, saying, “We are extremely happy that the judgement came in our favour after 8 years.” Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Chitranjan Tyagi of Chhindwara headed the SIT’s operations. The decision was made by the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court.
15 accused guilty of illegal trade
The court found all 15 accused guilty of illegal trade and transportation of pangolin scales and sentenced each of them to three years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000. The officials posted at Pench Tiger Reserve, both during the time of the offence and presently, played an exemplary role in this case,” said the officer.
Special Task Force to crack the network
The SIT identified interstate and international gangs operating in more than 10 states in India and beyond through relentless efforts and thorough research. Initially, 42 suspects from different states were detained after three cases were filed in Balaghat, Seoni (Pench Tiger Reserve), and Chhindwara which resulted in the detention of 42 suspects from various states. Given the depth of the syndicate’s involvement, the wildlife wing dissolved the SIT and established the Special Task Force (STF) for Pangolin-Related Offences, a more capable and resourceful group.
STF’s activities acknowledged at national and international forums
The STF subsequently detained over 170 people from over 14 states, including two international nationals. The STF’s activities have been acknowledged at both national and international forums, including Interpol, UNODC, and the CITES COP. Authorities reported that a global poaching gang was importing pangolin to China and Vietnam had a huge well established network in Madhya Pradesh. The massive demand of pangolins by China was well known which led in cracking down the racket. With the assistance of Interpol the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department craked the network and arrested the mastermind of the poaching gang.
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