Three years imprisonment for shahtoosh shawls smuggling

In August 2009 Wildlife Inspector of WCCB examined one shipment consisting of 27 bales claiming to be woolen blended pashmina shawls at Indira Gandhi International Air Cargo Complex, New Delhi. On examination, inspector suspected 4 shawls to be of shahtoosh and advised customs to detain the consignment. The shawls were seized and a case under Wildlife Protection Act was registered. In forensic examination 4 shawls were found containing hair of Tibetan Antelope or Chiru (Panthlops hodgsoni). After the trial ACMM Court- Delhi had convicted the accused from Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir and sentenced him to undergo Simple Imprisonment for three years and he is also sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 10,000/- for the offence u/s 51 of Wild Life (Protection) Act for the contravention of Section 49 and 49B(1) of the Act and in default simple imprisonment for one month.