Bhubaneswar: During a raid conducted by the Special Task Force of Odisha Police on Friday, a smuggler of wildlife items was apprehended and three leopard hides were seized from his possession.
The person in question was identified as Khageswar Patel (56) of Pujiladu village under M Rampur police limits in Kalahandi district.
The raid was conducted at Sripati Chowk on M Rampur – Narla road (State Highway – 6A).
Apart from the leopard hides, three pieces of deer hides were also recovered from the possession of Patel, the STF stated.
“The accused person could not produce any authority in support of possession of the prohibited items for which he has been arrested and will be forwarded to the Court of JMFC, M Rampur,” the STF added.
In this connection, the STF has registered a case under Sections 379/411/120(B) of the IPC and Section 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
The seized items will be send to Director WII, Derhadun for biological examination. Further investigation is on.
