Date:14/06/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/06/14/stories/2004061413290300.htm

New Delhi

Leopard skins seized

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JUNE 13. Acting on a tip-off by the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), the authorities seized 15 fresh leopard skins from a village at Sonepat district of Haryana on Friday.

The raiding party that included the Wildlife Regional Office of Northern Region, the local forest department, the Haryana police besides WPSI officials found the skins hidden in a tin trunk that was buried in a five-feet deep pit. The pit was located near the residence of the key accused, Dulichand. Besides the skins, nine large steel traps were also recovered.

The accused was arrested on the spot along with one Lakshmi Chand, who is also a suspected wildlife trader. During the search operation, one new cellular phone, a diary and Rs.3,500 in cash were recovered from the arrested men.

The case was handed over to the State Forest Department and the accused were produced in the court on Saturday morning. During the interrogation, Dulichand confessed that the animals were killed in Uttaranchal and the skins were taken to Chand in Delhi. He also admitted that this was his second consignment to Chand in the past six months.