Spiny-tailed Lizards seized in Karnataka

Karnataka police had seized 3 Sanda and a case was registered against two persons at Byatarayanapura police station in Bengaluru city on 16 October 2017.

Five people convicted in wildlife case

In January 2017, Madhya Pradesh forest officials registered a case in Narsinghgarh in Rajgarh district against 5 persons in connection with seizure of snakes, body parts of jackal & hyena and leg-hold traps. In 10th October, a court in Narsinghgarh had found guilty in all accused and sentenced them to four years rigorous imprisonment and ₹10,000 fine each. One the convict belong to Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh is a repeat offender in wildlife crime and was a big player in illegal wildlife trade.

Elephant tusks seized in Kottayam district, Kerala

Kerala forest officials arrested a person in Erumeli, Kottayam district with two elephant tusks, a country-made gun and a sword on 11 October 2017.

Five years imprisonment for person caught with rhino horn

In May 2015 forest officials of Jaldapara Wildlife Division, West Bengal had seized a rhino horn and arrested 5 persons. After the trial, a local court in Alipurduar had convicted a person on last month and sentenced him to five years simple imprisonment and ₹20,000 fine. The other four accused were acquitted as the prosecution has not been able to prove the case against them.

Elephant hair bracelets piquing visitors’ interest

What piqued the interest of visitors at Saras Mela, Ludhiana were rings and bracelets made of ‘elephant hair’ — that, too, from the tail of African elephants.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ludhiana/elephant-hair-bracelets-piquing-visitors-interest/479504.html

10 days imprisonment for people caught with sea cucumber

Last month a local court in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu had sentenced three people for 10 days of imprisonment and ₹ 250 fine each whom were caught with 100 kg of sea cucumbers in October 2010.

All Holothurians are listed in Schedule-I of Wildlife Protection Act. Section 51 (1) of Act says "Provided that where the offence committed is in relation to any animal specified in Schedule I or Part II of Schedule II or meat of any such animal or animal article, trophy or uncured trophy derived from such animal or where the offence relates to hunting in a sanctuary or a National Park or altering the boundaries of a sanctuary or a National Park, such offence shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three years but may extend to seven years and also with fine which shall not be less than ten thousand rupees".

Same court also dismissed another wildlife complaint filed by forest department, citing reason as "No representation for the complainant. The complainant called absent. On 11.8.17 is also the complainant absent. In spite of repeated adjournment the complainant is not come forward to receive N.B.W after making necessary fee. Hence the complaint is dismissed u/s204(4) of Cr.p.c".

Two persons convicted for violating Captive Elephant (Management & Maintenance) Rule

In February 2013 a captive elephant had killed a girl during the annual temple festival at Cherthala Taluk of Kerala. After investigating the incident  forest department had registered case against five persons for violating u/s 8(1)(2),10,12(a) of Captive Elephant (Management and Maintenance) Rule r/w 51 of Wild Life (Protection) Act. During the trial two accused were pleaded guilty and court sentenced them to pay a fine of ₹ 3500/- each and in default of payment of fine to undergo simple imprisonment for 30 days.

Conviction against wildlife criminals upheld in Haryana

In June 2010 forest officials of Haryana were arrested 3 people with 13 yellow monitor lizards in Kaithal district. Trial court had convicted the accused and sentenced them to rigorous imprisonment for a period of three years and fine of ₹10,000 each. The appeal filed by convicts were now rejected by Additional Sessions Judge, Kurukshetra and held that the prosecution has been duly proved the fact that appellants-accused were found in possession of 13 yellow monitor lizards and thereby committed offence under Section 39(a) of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, punishable under Section 51 of the Act.

Three leopard skins seized in Pithoragarh

Uttarakhand police seized three leopard skins and arrested a person in Pithoragarh district today morning.

Property of wildlife criminal confiscated in Pilibhit

Pilibhit district police in Uttar Pradesh has declared three alleged wildlife criminals as members of “forest mafia”, while the fixed property of one of them has been seized.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bareilly/sp-declares-three-wildlife-criminals-as-forest-mafia/articleshow/60861453.cms

14 get life term for forest officer’s murder

The Nizamabad District SC, ST Sessions Court in Telangana convicted and sentenced 14 persons, including a woman and a couple, to life imprisonment for their involvement in the murder of Forest Officer in September 2013. The murder occurred when the officer, along with the staff, had gone to the spot on information that some persons were cultivating in forest department land, after grabbing them.

http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Telangana/2017-09-26/14-get-life-term-for-forest-officers-murder/329018

After 17 years wildlife criminal sentenced to 4 years imprisonment

In May 2000 district police of Haridwar, Uttarakhand arrested a person of neighboring Bijnore district with a leopard skin, after a long trial Chief Judicial Magistrate had found him guilty and sentenced the convict to 4 years rigorous imprisonment and ₹20,000 fine on last week.

Four leopard skins and 3 bear gall bladders seized in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand forest officials arrested two persons with 4 leopard skins and 3 bear gall bladders at Rudraprayag forest division on 7 May 2017.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/2-arrested-with-bile-pods-of-black-bear-and-four-leopard-skins/articleshow/58562390.cms

Three years imprisonment in seizure of traps and knife

In May 2007, Maharashtra forest officials detained six poachers from Madhya Pradesh and later arrested a person in connection with seizure of two iron traps and a knife in Wadsa forest division. Prosecution has proved in court that accused had set the trap for the purpose of hunting of tiger. After the trial JMFC - Desaiganj had convicted the accused and sentenced him to three years rigorous imprisonment and ₹ 2,000 fine.

Tiger poisoned in Sathyamangalam

Tamil Nadu forest officials arrested four persons in connection with killing of a tiger by poisoning in Sathyamangalam tiger reserve.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/erode/four-held-for-poisoning-tiger-in-erode/articleshow/58510121.cms