PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Haldwani
A man was caught with a leopard pelt in the Reetha Sahib area of Champawat on the weekend. A joint team of the police, special operation group and Forest department caught the accused on Saturday.
According to officials, the joint team was conducting a check near the Chaidamehta resin depot in Bhingrada forest area. The team stopped Deepak Singh Bohra (28) on suspicion. On searching the resident of Gagri village in the district, the team found a leopard pelt from the man. During preliminary inquiry, the accused said that he was transporting the pelt to Lohaghat, where he intended to sell it. According to Forest officials, the seized pelt has been sealed while a case has been lodged under the Wildlife Protection Act, 192 against Bohra who was also taken into custody for further action. The Forest department has stressed that the campaign against wildlife crimes will continue in the future and that strict action will be taken against those found involved in such crimes.
