Koraput: Vigilance department‘s forest wing personnel arrested a man and seized two leopard skins from him during a raid in Rayagada town Sunday afternoon. The arrested person was identified as Reddy Kausalya, a resident of the district, officials said.
“We received a tip-off about Reddy possessing two leopard skins and accordingly a raid was conducted to apprehend him. The arrest was made while Reddy was attempting to strike a deal to sell the animal skins near the Old Gate Chhack of Rayagada,” said Rajnikanta Mohanty, assistant conservator of forests.
According to Mohanty, the accused was booked under Section 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which deals with offences involving the illegal possession and trade of wildlife and its parts. “Probe is underway to determine the source of leopard skins and uncover any possible links to a larger wildlife trafficking network,” said Mohanty.