Man Sentenced for Leopard Skin Trafficking in Odisha

A man was arrested by the Special Task Force in Odisha for possessing a leopard skin. He was sentenced to three years in prison and fined Rs 10,000 under the Wildlife Protection Act. The STF's dedicated efforts have resulted in multiple convictions despite India's low conviction rate for wildlife crimes.

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], October 1 (ANI): The Special Task Force (STF) has arrested a man for possessing a leopard skin and attempting to deliver it to a customer near the village of Ranipathar under PurnaKatak police station in Boudh district. The STF confirmed that a chargesheet has been filed against the accused under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, following a successful investigation.

During the trial, the court sentenced the individual to three years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 for the offence. The accused was apprehended while trying to sell the skin along the Charichhak-Phulbani main road.

The leopard skin was sent to the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, for biological and chemical examination. The results confirmed the authenticity of the skin. The STF reported that 11 witnesses were examined, and nine documents were submitted by the prosecution during the trial.

This is the ninth conviction secured by the STF under the Wildlife Protection Act. According to the STF, all nine cases have ended in convictions, which is significant given India's overall wildlife crime conviction rate of less than five percent.

The STF, a specialized wing of the Odisha Police, targets organized crime and wildlife offenses within the state. The STF has made substantial efforts to ensure high-standard investigations and meticulous prosecution, aiming to secure convictions in the courts.

Wildlife protection remains a key focus area for the STF. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)