Boudh, Sep 8: The court of Judicial Magistrate of First Class of Kantamal under Boudh district convicted a person under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
The accused has been identified as Mahendra Bhaina, son of late Rathi Bhaina of Badalguda village in Boudh district.
The accused person was convicted and sentenced to undergo Rigorous Imprisonment (R.I) for 3 (three) years and to pay a fine of Rs.10, 000 and in default to go RI for six months for the offences.
In this case, on 28.4.2021 at 1.00 PM STF, Bhubaneswar apprehended the above noted accused person near Bandhanjhulli, under Manamunda PS of Boudh and recovered one Leopard Skin from his possession. After successful investigation, charge sheet was submitted U/S 379/411/120 (B) IPC r.w. Sec. 51 the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. During investigation the seized Leopard skin was also sent to Wild Life Institute of India, Dehradun for biological chemical examination and opinion was received affirmatively.
Trial was conducted against above noted accused person where during trial prosecution has examined 07 witnesses. So far, trials have been completed in two wild life cases which were investigated by STF. Both the cases have ended in conviction.
This is first Wildlife case in Odisha where maximum punishment has been awarded to the accused person under Wildlife Protection Act.
