TV
The Balasore Forest Department on Friday arrested a doctor posted at the Udala government hospital in Mayurbhanj district for his alleged involvement in tiger skin smuggling.
The accused doctor has been identified as Dr Maheshwar Das, who is accused of playing a central role in the illegal trade.
The Forest department alleged that Dr Maheshwar and the main accused Pradeep Nayak were running the racket. The doctor’s clinic, located in Soro, was used as a storage and trading hub for wildlife contraband.
During the operation, the forest department officials also rescued a parrot from his house, further implicating him in violating the Wildlife Protection Act.
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This development follows the previous confiscation of a tiger skin in the Soro area on October 23. With Dr Maheshwar's arrest, the total number of individuals taken into custody in connection with this case has risen to 12.
The Additional Chief Forest Officer has confirmed that investigations are continuing as they strive to determine whether more individuals are involved in this smuggling racket.
“We along with police staff carried out a joint raid at his house. He had been in regular touch with the main accused whom we court-forwarded today. They had also financial transactions between them. What we have gathered from the investigation is that he has complete involvement with the racket. We also rescued a parrot which is protected under the Wild Life Act. We are taking him into judicial custody,” said ACF of Chandipur Forest department, Jayashree Murmu.
