6 poachers held with civet cat, monitor lizard

India: Wildlife poachers seem to be taking advantage of the ongoing lockdown. Six of them were arrested for poaching a civet cat and a monitor lizard from Aamghat forest area under Butibori forest range.
The accused have been identified as Akash Jagtap, Ramnath Sawant, Sundarlal Shinde, Anil Shinde, Tanaji Jagtap amd Motiram Mandavkar, all residents of Makardhokda in Umred tehsil.

“The accused, who are into business of selling Ayurvedic jadi-booti (alternative medicine) had entered the forest under the pretext of collecting medicinal plants but killed a civet cat and captured a monitor lizard. The lizard was released in the forest,” said RFO LV Thokal.
Due to coronavirus pandemic, the accused were released on bail on March 25, but have been ordered by the court to remain present as and when directed. The criminals seem to be habitual offenders selling body parts to gullible customers as medicines of various ailments.

(Source: The Times of India)