Poaching in Madhya Pradesh: Four suspects arrested following video evidence

BHOPAL: The State Tiger Strike Force (STSF) of Madhya Pradesh, acting on a tip-off from the Deputy Commissioner of Police in Nagpur, arrested four persons involved in poaching activities in the Seoni and Barghat forests of Madhya Pradesh.

During the investigation of a fraud case (crime number 324/2024) registered under the Right to Education Act, the Nagpur police seized a mobile phone from one Raja Sharif, which contained videos and photos documenting the illegal hunting of wild animals, including Sambhar, Chital, and Nilgai.

The footage showed hunters entering the natural habitat of these animals at night with guns. The mobile phone also contained videos of an attempted night-time hunt of a tiger. These incriminating videos and photos were circulated on social media, bringing the illegal activities to light.

Following inputs the Wildlife Headquarters in Madhya Pradesh directed the State Tiger Strike Force to take immediate action. STSF units from Bhopal and Jabalpur moved to Nagpur, where they apprehended the primary suspect, Raja Sharif. Based on information provided by Sharif, three other suspects were identified and detained: Aamir Aziz alias Attu Bhai, Seoni, Jafar Khan, Barghat, District Seoni and Shadab Khan, Barghat, District Seoni. These arrests took place on August 5, 2024, and Forest Crime Case No. 237/16 was registered on August 3, 2024.

The accused have been presented before the Special Court in Jabalpur and are currently under forest remand for questioning. The investigation is ongoing as authorities aim to uncover the full extent of the poaching activities.