Rhino horn smuggling: Five accused sentenced to five years imprisonment

In October 2016 Jaldapara Wildlife officials, West Bengal were seized a rhino horn, tooth and hooves and arrested five persons, in addition to the wildlife goods forest officials also seized an AK-47 rifle with magazine and 46 nos. of live cartridges. After the trial a local court in Alipurduar district were convicted all five accused and sentenced them to five years imprisonment and ₹20,000 fine each.

During the sentencing court observed that “As a Court of Law, we should be careful that actions taken by the Courts send message to the society that no one is above law and anyone, intending to break law would be punished adequately. The offence involved in this case is very serious in nature and the Act provides for punishment for a term not less that three years but which may extend to seven years and for fine not less that ten thousand rupees. In such a case, adopting any lenient view would send message to the wrongdoers to feel encouraged in destroying and killing wildlife animals rendering them further extinct and the purpose of the Act of 1972 would be frustrated.”