Jharsuguda: At least three leopard skins were seized in Odisha’s Jharsuguda district on Sunday following a joint operation.
The raid was conducted at Palsamal village, Thampargarh under Jujumura police limits in Sambalpur district in connection with trade/possession of wildlife products by wildlife related criminals. Three wildlife criminals were arrested in this connection.
The three accused have been identified as Sumit Kumar Patel, son of Navin Kumar Patel of Village: Jogidihi, PO: Malidihi, PS: Kolabira, Dist: Jharsuguda, Krupa Sahoo, son of Narayan Sahoo of Sudpada of Balangir Town under Bolangir Town Police Station limits in Balangir district and Aditya Patra son of Chintamani Patra of Palsamal village under Tampargarh district in Jujumura police station limits of Sambalpur district.
According to reports, after receiving information from a reliable source, a team of STF conducted a raid with the help of Jharsuguda and Sambalpur District Police on 14/15/10/2022 at Malidhi Chhaka between Jharsuguda – Kuchinda Road at Kolabira Police Station under Jharsuguda District of Odisha .
During search (03) Three pieces of leopard skin and other incriminating materials were recovered from them.
The accused persons could not produce any valid evidence in support of the possession of such leopard skins for which they were arrested and referred to the court of SDJM, Jharsuguda.
In this regard, STF PS Case No. 22 dated 15.10.2022 has been registered U/s 379/411/413/120(B) IPC & Sec.51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Further investigation is pending of the case.