Forest Dept Cracks Down on Leopard Skin Smugglers, Nabs 7 Including Ex-Cop

In a major crackdown, the Forest Department in Bhanjanagar dismantled an interstate leopard skin smuggling gang, seizing a leopard skin, five mobile phones, and several sharp weapons.

The operation led to the arrest of seven individuals, including a retired police Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), highlighting the deep-rooted network of wildlife trafficking in the region.

The raid took place in Gunduribadi village, under the Jagannath Prasad Range of the North Ghumusar Forest Division. Acting on a tip-off, forest officials conducted a surprise raid at the residence of Babaji Surendra Pradhan, where they recovered a leopard skin used in rituals, along with weapons and puja materials. Surendra Pradhan, his son Lakshman Pradhan, and Sushant Dakua from Pantikhari village were apprehended at the scene.

Further investigation led the team to the mastermind of the operation, Khalicharan Jani, a retired ASI from Beddingi village in Gajapati district’s Ramagiri area. Four others—Bipin Chandra Pradhan from Ananga village, Khetriya Malik from Mohana Gochaguda, and Trinath Biswal from Ganjam’s Purushottampur—were also arrested from Raj Palace Lodge in Bhanjanagar.

The seized leopard skin, measuring seven feet in length, is estimated to be worth over one lakh rupees, according to Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Himanshu Shekhar Mahanti.

The operation was led by Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Bibek Dash and Bimla Pradhan, along with Mujagad Range Officer Bimbadhar Sahu and several other forest personnel. This successful raid underscores the Forest Department’s commitment to combating wildlife trafficking and protecting endangered species.