CBI arrests man for killing panther and tigress in Sariska

Jaipur: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday arrested a man, wanted in a wildlife crime since 2008. The accused, Balya Bawaria, is a resident of Malwa in Dausa district of Rajasthan. He is accused of killing a tigress and a panther for their skin.

CBI had registered two cases in June, 2005 at the request of the Rajasthan Government and further notification from union government. The agency took over the investigation of these cases, earlier registered with Rajasthan police. The case was registered by Forest Department in Sariska.

A CBI spokesperson said that the first case was registered on the allegations that in 2004, the accused killed a Tigress in the forest of Kali ghati near ‘Kala Kund’ in Ghanka area of Sariska by using topisar gun and iron traps. They took out the skin of the tigress and sold it for Rs. 50,000.

The second case was registered on the allegations that the accused in 2003, killed a male panther at Kali Ka Dhaba by using firearm, iron trap. The animal’s skin was sold for Rs. 1800. Two accused were evading the arrest. The accused were declared as Proclaimed Offender and non-bailable warrants were issued against them in 2008. One of the accused was arrested and convicted in 2019. The second accused was evading arrest. Due to sustained & continuous efforts, the said accused was traced & arrested, the spokesperson said.

The arrested accused was produced before the Court of ACJM, Jaipur and sent to Judicial Custody.