India: Two people from Raigad have been arrested by the Kalyan crime branch for allegedly possessing a tiger and leapord skin. The duo have been identified as Vishal Laxman Dhanraj, 30, and Sachin Janardhan Mhatre, 33, both are residents of Khalapur village in Raigad district.According to Sanju John, Senior Police Inspector, Kalyan Crime Branch, Unit 3, “We got information on Thursday from a reliable informer that the duo possessed a tiger and leapord skins which were taken from Raigad jungle for sale to Kolegaon village in Badlapur. Thereafter, we formed a team of crime branch police personnel and laid a trap near Pipeline Road in Badlapur before accosting them. We detained them and found in their bags a tiger and leapord skin and arrested them”.“We are trying to ascertain who the buyers are. During primary investigation, we learned that both are smugglers of skins of wild animal. The culprits werere produced before the court and placed in police custody,” said an officials.

A case was registered with Manpada police station against them under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

(Source: The Afternoon DC)