Tiger poacher Ajit a free bird now

NAGPUR: Dreaded tiger poacher

Ajit Chhiyalal Rajgond

, who confessed to have poached a tiger in

Umred-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary

, is a free bird now. Ajit walked out of Central Jail on November 11, even before the order was typed and forest officials could get a certified copy to challenge it.

On Monday, perplexed forest officials waited in the Umred court for the certified copy of the order but as it was not typed, they could not get it. The hurry to release Ajit on the basis of just warrant is surprising. The acquitted accused also deposited Rs15,000 as bail bond surety with bailers from Pandhrabodi in Nagpur.

“Even if the forest officials challenge the Umred court order, Ajit would escape. Organized tiger poachers have history of not returning once released,” said legal experts.

On November 10, judicial magistrate first class VR Jambhule acquitted four tiger poachers and traders Ajit, Sarju Bagdi, Rauna and Saranki. Ajit and his accomplices had killed a tiger on the night of May 14 in

Umred-Karhandla

in which department had ample evidence. The skin was sold to Sarju.