Saoli Turtle Poaching Case: Three Accused Get Extended Forest Custody
In a significant development in the Saoli turtle poaching case, the forest custody of three out of the six arrested accused has been extended by an additional three days. Meanwhile, the remaining three individuals have been remanded to judicial custody, as per the latest court orders. This case has drawn attention to illegal wildlife activities in the region.
Details of the Arrest and Seizure
The Saoli Forest Range had previously apprehended six individuals in the Sirsi reserve area, located near the Chichdoh barrage. They were caught illegally transporting turtles without the necessary permissions. According to forest officials, the accused were allegedly using the turtles for black magic rituals, a practice that has raised concerns among conservationists.
The operation was conducted based on a tip-off regarding the illegal transportation of turtles for occult practices. The forest department set up a trap and intercepted the accused while they were returning after allegedly performing black magic rituals on the animals. The individuals were caught red-handed, and the seized material included two turtles and three motorcycles.
Identities of the Accused
The arrested individuals have been identified as:
- Gangadhar Pandu Burande (49)
- Moreshwar Devidas Devtale (38)
- Rajendra Shamrao Divase (52)
- Omdev Gitabai Shinde (25)
- Hemchand Umaji Shende (28)
- Dhaval Usatu Veladi (30)
Initially, all six were remanded to four days of forest custody, but the court has now extended this for three of them, while the others have been moved to judicial custody.
Rescue and Ongoing Investigation
Forest Range Officer Vinod Dhurve provided an update, stating that the rescued turtles have been released back into their natural habitat. This action underscores the department's commitment to wildlife conservation. However, the investigation is still ongoing to determine if more individuals are involved and whether there are additional cases of turtle poaching linked to this incident.
Authorities are working diligently to uncover the full extent of this wildlife crime and ensure that justice is served. The case highlights the challenges faced in combating illegal activities that threaten endangered species and disrupt ecological balance.
