Bhubaneswar: The Special Task Force (STF) of the Odisha Crime Branch seized one illegal leopard hide near Khajuripada in Kandhamal district and arrested two wildlife criminals in this connection.
The wildlife criminals have been identified as Sujit Rajaswadip and Dhananjay Behera, residents of Arapaju village under Khajuripada police station limits in Kandhamal.
On the basis of reliable information, a team of STF conducted raid in the evening of April 23 at Khajuripada area regarding dealing of wildlife products by wildlife criminals. During the raid, the two wildlife criminals were apprehended.
The STF recovered one leopard skin and other incriminating materials from the possession of the accused persons. The accused persons could not produce any authority in support of possession of such leopard skin, for which they have been arrested, the STF said.
In this connection STF PS Case No.08 dated 24.04.2023 U/s 379/411/120(B) IPC r/w. Sec.51 of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 is being registered and will be forwarded to the Court of SDJM, Phulbani. The skin will be send to Director WII, Derhadun for biological examination, the STF added.