Deogarh: The Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Crime Branch seized the hide of a leopard from Barkot area in Deogarh district and arrested three persons on Thursday evening.
The arrested have been identified as Jagnyadutta Behera, Sachikanta Naik, Ramanisen Behera. Two among them are the sons of retired jailors.
Talking to mediapersons on Friday, DIG, CB STF, Ashish Singh said the accused had struck a deal and were planning to sell the 7-feet long hide at Rs 8 lakh in Rourkela.
Asked about the details, SP of CB, STF, Rahul PR, said the STF team, acting on a tip-off, detained the three accused in Barkot area on Thursday evening and seized the leopard hide from their possession. “The legal documentation note and the legality of this case are being taken up. The three arrested persons will be made accused in this case and they will be forwarded to the court today,” he added.
Stating that the STF is going behind the racket, the SP said the forward and backward linkage of this racket is under investigation.
Earlier on March 15 this year, the Crime Branch STF had arrested seven persons from Kuchinda in Sambalpur district and seized four leopard hides from their possession.
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