First Conviction In Odisha For Pangolin Smuggling, 2 Sentenced To 2 Yrs RI

Sonepur: The Court of Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM), Sonepur convicted two wildlife criminals under Section 51 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, and sentenced them to undergo two years rigorous imprisonment (RI) with a fine of Rs 10,000.

STF sources said this is the seventh case of STF where the accused were convicted under the Wildlife Protection Act, and also the first case where the accused persons were convicted in a Pangolin case.

The SDJM ordered that in default of the fine amount, the two convicts Somanath Bag alias Renchu of Kapasira and Marsalan Bhengera of Gindhilamal in Ulunda of Sonepur district, would further undergo six months and one year RI.

According to the prosecution, the STF apprehended the two persons on near Rajakothi (Mahanadi Bridge) in Sonepur while they were proceeding towards Birmaharajpur. During the search, one living pangolin and pangolin scales were recovered from their possession.

After investigation, a charge sheet was submitted against the two accused under Section 379/411/120-B IPC r/w. 51 of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.

During the investigation, the pangolin was handed over to the Forest Department for rehabilitation, and the pangolin scales were sent to the WildLife Institute of India, Dehradun, for biological and chemical examination.

The trial was conducted against the two accused persons, and during the trial, the prosecution has examined seven witnesses and exhibited 30 documents.