3 arrested for trafficking in wildlife parts; sambar antlers, hathajodi, wild cat parts seized

In a major crackdown on wildlife trafficking, the Wildlife Department has arrested three persons and recovered sambar antlers, hathajodi and parts of a wild cat from their possession.

Acting on a tip-off and following a zero-tolerance policy against wildlife crime, a team led by Chief Wildlife Warden, Punjab, Basanta Raj Kumar and Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Satinder Kumar Sagar conducted the operation.

The team, which included Divisional Forest Officer, Wildlife Division, Phillaur, Vikram Singh Kundra, laid a trap in Nakodar. One team member acted as a customer and struck a deal with the traffickers.

During the operation, Bony Arora, son of Bharat Bhushan and a resident of Nakodar, arrived at the spot to deliver the contraband and was immediately arrested. Two cut pieces of sambar antlers, six pieces of hathajodi and parts of a wild cat were recovered from his possession.

During interrogation, Arora disclosed that the seized wildlife parts had been supplied by Shivam Gupta, son of Gulshan Rai, a resident of Nakodar, who runs a shop named Durga Dass Pansari. A subsequent raid at Gupta’s shop led to his questioning, during which he admitted his involvement and stated that he had sent the material to Arora for delivery.

Gupta further disclosed that he had purchased the wildlife parts from Deepak alias Kala, son of Vijay Kumar Gupta, a resident of Nakodar in Jalandhar district, who runs Valaiti Ram Pansari and Grocery Store in Nakodar.

Following this disclosure, the team raided Deepak’s shop and recovered two cut pieces of sambar antlers and one piece of hathajodi. During questioning, Deepak admitted to supplying this material to Gupta, Satinder told The Tribune.

All three accused were arrested along with the recovered items and produced at Nakodar police station. An FIR has been registered against them under relevant sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (as amended in 2003).