Baripada: In a major boost to wildlife protection in Odisha, the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Baripada, has convicted 11 persons for poaching a male Asiatic elephant inside the core area of Similipal Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve.
The court sentenced each of the convicts to four years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on them under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
The convicted accused are Ghasiram Jerai, Anand Kerai, Shibsankar Banara, Narendra Banara, Chaku Alda, Dabara Badra, Berga Badra, Santan Badra, Papulu Badra, Markand Ho, and Tuku Badra.
The offence took place on 19 November 2023. As per case history, forest guard Satyanarayan Patra, while on patrolling duty in Kabatghai-I Beat, discovered the carcass of a male elephant in Chulipanidanda forest (Compartment No. KH-17 (P2) inside the core zone of Similipal Tiger Reserve. The frontal portion of the skull had been chopped off, and both tusks along with the lower mandible were missing. A post-mortem examination later revealed an iron arrowhead embedded in the elephant’s left waist, confirming it was killed by poachers. The carcass measured 9 ft 6 inches in length and 7 ft 4 inches in height. Forest officials seized the carcass and the arrowhead at the spot.
During investigation, the accused were arrested and weapons used in the crime were recovered. Confessional statements were recorded, and several incriminating materials were seized from their possession. The probe revealed that a large gang had entered the protected core area, poached the Schedule-I protected animal, and removed its tusks for illegal trade. While 11 accused were arrested and faced trial, 12 others absconded, leading to splitting of the case against them on 7 August 2024.
The final charge sheet was submitted in April 2024, and cognizance was taken under relevant Sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, including Sections 2, 9, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 39(a)(b)(d), 48-A, 49-B, 50, 52, punishable under Section 51.Forest officials described the conviction as a significant success, stating that their team showed strong commitment in detection, arrest, documentation, and effective prosecution. The judgment is expected to strengthen efforts against poaching and has reportedly helped dismantle at least three traditional elephant poaching gangs operating in the Similipal landscape.
