Two held for filming captured croc, posting videos online in MP’s Shivpuri

Bhopal: The State Tiger Strike Force (STSF), Madhya Pradesh, on Tuesday arrested two persons from Shivpuri district for filming a crocodile they allegedly captured and abused before posting videos on social media.The action came on the direction of the chief wildlife warden following inputs of videos purportedly showing a crocodile being captured, handled and abused for social media content.According to officials, the accused allegedly made Instagram reels showing themselves catching a crocodile, keeping it in illegal possession, dragging it on the ground, lifting and slamming it on the ground.An investigation followed during which the STSF identified the accused as residents of Gartha village in Pichhore tehsil of Shivpuri district. In a joint operation, the Shivpuri regional unit of the STSF and forest department staff detained the accused duo — Sukh Nandan Kewat and Gulai Singh.During questioning, the duo allegedly confessed to an attempt to electrocute the reptile in the Budhna River while also using electric current to catch fish, a practice that officials said often harms crocodiles as well.A forest offence case was registered on June 2 under provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, following which the accused were produced before a court in Pichhore.Crocodiles are protected under Schedule-I of the Act, with offences attracting imprisonment ranging from three to seven years.