In June 2015 Wildlife Crime Control Bureau and STF of Uttar Pradesh police were seized approximate 11 kg of tiger bones including 2 skulls from Bijnore district when they were investigating a previous wildlife crime case registered in Delhi on September 2013. After the trial a court in Delhi had convicted 3 accused and acquitted 1 person. Convicted persons were sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for five years and a fine of Rs. 20,000/- each.
Court noted that expert witness who has stated that on the basis of lab analysis, the case property was concluded as that both the skulls are of Tiger (Panthera tigris). Witnesses have totally supported the case of the prosecution regarding the recovery of tiger bones and also they all are corroborating each other on all material aspects and there are no major inconsistency or contradictions in their statement. Their statements on record are found to be cogent, inspires the confidence of the Court and there is no reason to disbelieve the same.
During sentencing court pointed that “Despite best efforts put in by the Government of almost all the countries across the globe, wild life offences are not coming down. Such case needs to be dealt with strictly to curb the wild life offences. Moreover, tiger is our National Animal and killing of our national pride should be dealt with iron hands. Convicts have committed offence of the greatest magnitude against the wildlife.”
Court noted that expert witness who has stated that on the basis of lab analysis, the case property was concluded as that both the skulls are of Tiger (Panthera tigris). Witnesses have totally supported the case of the prosecution regarding the recovery of tiger bones and also they all are corroborating each other on all material aspects and there are no major inconsistency or contradictions in their statement. Their statements on record are found to be cogent, inspires the confidence of the Court and there is no reason to disbelieve the same.
During sentencing court pointed that “Despite best efforts put in by the Government of almost all the countries across the globe, wild life offences are not coming down. Such case needs to be dealt with strictly to curb the wild life offences. Moreover, tiger is our National Animal and killing of our national pride should be dealt with iron hands. Convicts have committed offence of the greatest magnitude against the wildlife.”
