Man Arrested in Odisha for Selling Leopard Skin
A man was apprehended by the Special Task Force (STF) in Odisha for possessing a leopard skin and attempting to sell it. The arrest occurred near Ranipathar village in Boudh district.
Details of the Arrest
The man was caught trying to deliver the leopard skin to a customer by the side of Charichhak-Phulbani main road. The seized skin was sent to the Wild Life Institute of India in Dehradun for examination, which confirmed its authenticity.
Legal Proceedings
Following a successful investigation, a chargesheet was filed against the accused under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. The court sentenced the man to three years of rigorous imprisonment and fined him Rs 10,000.
STF’s Efforts
The STF, a specialized wing of the Odisha Police, has been actively working to curb organized crime and wildlife offenses in the state. This case marks the ninth conviction by the STF under the Wildlife Protection Act. Despite a national conviction rate of less than five percent for wildlife crimes, the STF has ensured that all nine cases they have prosecuted have ended in conviction.
Doubts Revealed
Odisha -: Odisha is a state in eastern India, known for its rich culture and history.
Leopard Skin -: Leopard skin is the fur of a leopard, a big wild cat. It is illegal to sell or buy it because leopards are protected animals.
Special Task Force (STF) -: The Special Task Force (STF) is a special police unit that handles serious crimes and important cases.
Boudh district -: Boudh district is an area in Odisha, India. It has many villages and towns.
Rigorous imprisonment -: Rigorous imprisonment means a person is sent to jail and has to do hard work as part of their punishment.
Wild Life Institute of India -: The Wild Life Institute of India is an organization that studies and protects wild animals and their habitats.
Wildlife Protection Act -: The Wildlife Protection Act is a law in India that helps protect wild animals and plants from being harmed or sold.
Conviction rate -: Conviction rate is the percentage of cases where the accused person is found guilty and punished.