Kolhapur forest dept arrests 3 more in Amba forest fire & trap cam theft case

Kolhapur: The forest department on Wednesday arrested three more suspects in connection with the massive fire and theft of a trap camera case in Niwale and Gothane range of Amba forest under the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve on May 5, 2026.

One of the suspects in this case was nabbed on May 9 after he was captured in another trap camera installed in the forest area.

Range forest officer for Amba range, Prakash Kokitkar, said, "On May 5, a fire broke out in Niwale and Gothane areas of Amba forest range. The officers and staff of the forest department made every effort to extinguish the fire. When the trap cameras installed for the wildlife census were checked, one camera was found to be stolen. The pictures from the second camera showed four suspects, one of whom had his face partially visible. Based on confidential information, it was found that the said suspect was Bapu Baju Chougule of Kotoli Dhangarwada from Shahuwadi tehsil. Accordingly, our team laid a trap based on a mobile tower location and arrested the accused at Biur Phata on Kokarud- Islampur Road.”

The department has warned that setting fire to the forest area is a serious crime and strict action will be taken against those who endanger wildlife, biodiversity and natural resources.

“Three more suspects were identified as Baburao Ghondiba Yedge, Bhagoji Baburao Kolekar and Namdev Lahu Yedge, all residents of Kotoli Dhangarwada of Shahuwadi taluka in Kolhapur. After a medical examination, they were produced before the court of First Class Judicial Magistrate Shahuwadi. The court has remanded these suspects in the forest department's custody for four days,“ added Kokitkar.