Golfer Jyoti Randhawa, ex-Army man arrested on poaching charges in UP

Tribune Web Desk 
Chandigarh, December 26

International golfer Jyoti Randhawa was on Wednesday arrested on poaching charges in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich.

Randhawa and his friend Mahesh Veerajdaar were arrested in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in Motipur Range of Katerniaghat. 

Mahesh Veerajdaar is a former Army captain and a resident of Maharashtra.

A case under the relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act was lodged against them and they have been sent to jail.

They were spotted by a team of foresters in the Motipur range trying to shoot animals. The skin of a deer and a rifle have been recovered from their vehicle. Field Director Ramesh Pandey confirmed the arrests.

Randhawa was in possession of the rifle, which was recovered from him, after the arrest.

Carcass of wild boar and a cheetals were reportedly seized from his possession. 

Between 2004 and 2009, he was many times ranked in the top 100 of the World Golf Ranking. He was married to Bollywood actress Chitrangada Singh, but they separated in 2014.