By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: On 18.09.2024Hon’ble court of Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate, Rayagada, District-Rayagadaconvicted two accused persons namely1) BikramMajhiS/o. GahiMajhi of Suresi PO: Bijapur PS. Chandrapur Dist. Rayagada and 2) Raja MajhiS/o. Late ParjaMajhi of Suresi PO: Bijapur PS. Chandrapur Dist. RayagadaU/S 379/411/120 (B)IPC r.w. 51 the Wild Life (Protection) Act,1972 in STF PS Case No. 27/2023.
The Court sentenced both the accused persons to undergo – Three (3) years of Rigorous Imprisonment (R.I) with fine of Rs.10, 000/-only for commission of offence u/s. 51(1A) of The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and in default of payment Rigorous Imprisonment (R.I) for six (6) months more. Further, the court convicts accused persons with R.I. (Rigorous Imprisonment) for 03 (three) years with fine U/s. 411 of I.P.C under the said offence and sentenced the accused persons to undergo R.I. for 06 (six) months U/S- 120-B of I.P.C. All the sentences imposed will run concurrently.
In this case, on 07.11.2023 at 6.00 PM STF, Bhubaneswar apprehended the above noted accused person of Rayagada-Bisamkatak road near Tamparbiduni Chhak under Chandili PS Jurisdiction Dist. Rayagada and recovered two (02) number of Leopard Skin from their possession while the accused persons were waiting there to deliver the same to a customer.
After successful investigation, charge sheet was submitted against both the accused persons U/S 379/411/120 (B)IPCr.w. Sec. 51 the Wild Life (Protection) Act,1972. During investigation the seized Leopard skins werealso sent to Wild Life Institute of India, Dehradun for biological chemical examination and opinion was received affirmatively. Trial was conducted against above noted accused persons where during trial prosecution has examined 09 witnesses and exhibited 15 documents.
This is the Eighth case of STF where the accused persons were convicted under Wildlife Protection Act. Till date trial has been completed in 08 Wildlife cases and all the cases ended in Conviction. This is worth to mention that the conviction rate of wildlife crime cases in India is less than five per cent.
STF Odisha has taken special efforts to ensure that our investigation is of highest standards and we meticulously follow our prosecution in the courts so that the cases are brought to logical conclusion/ conviction. STF is the specialized wing of Odisha Police to curb the organized crime as well as cases against Wildlife in the State. Offence under Wildlife (Protection) Act is also one of the focusareas of STF and STF will continue its drive against such illegal wildlife poachers/ dealers.
- Investigating Officer: Inspr Jitu Mohan Beshra
- Conducting Prosecutor: Sri Sachidananda Khadenga, Asst. Public Prosecutor, Rayagada
STF got the power/authority to investigate wild life cases in 2018. So far, STF has booked 101 cases and have arrested 232 wild life Criminals. Our major seizures, so far Leopard hides- 59, Elephant Tusks-27, Live Pangolin- 23, Pangolin Scales- 42 Kg, Tiger hides- 02, Deer Hides- 11
