Odisha STF nabs two wildlife criminals, recovers leopard skin

Bhubaneswar, July 24 (UNI) The Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Police today arrested two wildlife criminals and recovered a leopard skin from their possession.

STF sources said, based on an intelligence input, a raid was conducted by an STF team near New Infovalley Road in Bhubaneswar against illegal possession of wildlife products.

During the raid, two persons ,Rajesh Nayak (26) and Gangadhar Nayak (25), both residents of Nayagarh district, were apprehended.

One leopard skin and other incriminating materials were recovered from their possession.

The accused failed to produce any valid authorization for possessing the leopard skin.

Consequently, they were arrested and are being forwarded to the Court of the SDJM,
Bhubaneswar.
A case has been registered against them under Sections 303(2), 317(2), and 61(2)(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, read with Section 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

The seized leopard skin will be sent to the Director of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII),Dehradun, for biological examination, STF sources said.