The Kolhapur forest department on Wednesday arrested three more suspects in connection with a massive fire and the theft of a trap camera case in the Niwale and Gothane ranges of Amba forest, which falls under the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve. The incident occurred on May 5, 2026.
Previous Arrest and Investigation
One of the suspects in this case was previously nabbed on May 9 after he was captured in another trap camera installed in the forest area. Range forest officer for Amba range, Prakash Kokitkar, provided details of the incident.
Details of the Incident
On May 5, a fire broke out in the Niwale and Gothane areas of the Amba forest range. Officers and staff of the forest department made every effort to extinguish the fire. When the trap cameras installed for the wildlife census were checked, one camera was found to be stolen. The pictures from the second camera showed four suspects, one of whom had his face partially visible.
Identification and Arrest of First Suspect
Based on confidential information, it was found that the said suspect was Bapu Baju Chougule of Kotoli Dhangarwada from Shahuwadi tehsil. Accordingly, the forest department team laid a trap based on a mobile tower location and arrested the accused at Biur Phata on Kokarud-Islampur Road.
Arrest of Three More Suspects
The department has warned that setting fire to the forest area is a serious crime and strict action will be taken against those who endanger wildlife, biodiversity, and natural resources. The three more suspects were identified as Baburao Ghondiba Yedge, Bhagoji Baburao Kolekar, and Namdev Lahu Yedge, all residents of Kotoli Dhangarwada of Shahuwadi taluka in Kolhapur.
Legal Proceedings
After a medical examination, the three suspects were produced before the court of the First Class Judicial Magistrate in Shahuwadi. The court has remanded these suspects in the forest department's custody for four days, added Kokitkar.
Official Warning
The forest department reiterated that setting fires in forest areas is a serious crime and warned that strict action will be taken against those who endanger wildlife, biodiversity, and natural resources.
