Boudh: The court of Judicial Magistrate First Class, Harabhanga convicted a wildlife criminal for smuggling a leopard hide.
The accused has been identified as Goutam Behera of Nuasahi village, under Phulbani Sadar Police limits in Kandhamal district.
On 30.09.2024, the court convicted the accused person U/S 379/411 IPC r.w. 51 the Wild Life (Protection) Act,1972 in STF PS Case No. 02/2024.
The Court sentenced the accused person to undergo 3 years of rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs 10, 000 only for the commission of the offence.
In this case, on 20.01.2024 at 5.15 AM STF, Bhubaneswar apprehended the above-noted accused person by the side of Charichhak–Phulbani main road near Ranipathar village under Purna Katak Police Station in Boudh district and recovered one Leopard Skin from his possession while he was waiting there to deliver the same to a customer.
After a successful investigation, a charge sheet was submitted against the accused person U/S 379/411IPC r.w. Sec. 51 the Wild Life (Protection) Act,1972. During
the investigation the seized Leopard Skin was sent to the Wild Life Institute of India, Dehradun for biological chemical examination and the opinion was received affirmatively. The trial was conducted against above noted accused person and during the trial prosecution examined 11 witnesses and exhibited 09 documents.
This is the Ninth case of STF where the accused persons were convicted under the Wildlife Protection Act. To date, the trial has been completed in 09 Wildlife cases and all the cases ended in Conviction. This is worth mentioning that the conviction rate of wildlife crime cases in India is less than five per cent.
STF Odisha has made special efforts to ensure that our investigation is of the highest standards and we meticulously follow our prosecution in the courts so that the cases are brought to logical conclusion/ conviction.
STF is the specialized wing of Odisha Police to curb organized crime as well as cases against Wildlife in the State. Offence under the Wildlife (Protection) Act is also one of the focus areas of STF and STF will continue its drive against such illegal wildlife poachers/ dealers.
