India: The court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Pithoragarh has sentenced a person, who found involved in leopard skin smuggling in 2012 to three years imprisonment and has also imposed a fine of ten thousand rupees on him. Four others were absolved of charges on lack of evidence.

The incident happened in 2012, when a total of five persons were arrested from Naini Sani airstrip in Pithoragarh and a leopard skin was found in their possession. Among those arrested included Rajendra Singh, Surendra Singh Mehta, Surendra Singh Danu and Govind Singh. Another person Vikram Singh, who fled later surrendered before the court.

After hearing both sides, the court of chief judicial magistrate Pithoragarh Kuldeep Singh found Surendra Singh Mehta guilty and sentenced him to three years of imprisonment and a fine of ten thousand rupees. All others were set free due to lack of evidence against them.

Following court orders, Surendra Singh Mehta was taken in custody by the police and sent to jail.

(Source: E News Desk)