The accused has been identified as Ratnakar Sahoo of Padmapur village under the police limits in Khurda district.
Acting on reliable information, a team of STF conducted a raid near Gambharimunda village. During the search, leopard skin and other incriminating articles were recovered from his possession. “The accused could not produce any authority in support of the possession of leopard skin, for which he has been arrested and will be forwarded to the Court,” said the STF.
The seized leopard skin will be sent to Wild Life Institute of India, Deharadun for chemical examination.
Since 2020, a special drive against wildlife criminals/ poachers have been launched. STF has seized as many as 22 numbers of leopard skins, 12 numbers of elephant tasks, 7 numbers of deer skins, 8 numbers of live pangolin and 15 kg pangolin scales with arrest of as many as 51 numbers of wildlife criminals.
