Udupi: Shankaranarayana range forest officials and staff have arrested four individuals in connection with the killing and discarding of a leopard in Siddapura village, Kundapura taluk. The case was registered on February 4, and the arrests were made on Thursday.
Details of the Incident
The leopard was killed and its body discarded near the Siddapura-Shivamogga Road, which passes through the Dottinaberi reserved forest area in Siddapura village. Acting on intelligence, the Shankaranarayana range forest officer (RFO) and his team apprehended Manjunath Shetty, a resident of Salimakki, Yedamoge village, Kundapura taluk, who was directly involved in the crime. Based on his statement, three more accomplices were subsequently arrested.
Arrests and Seizures
Sandesh Kumar, RFO of Shankaranarayana Range, confirmed that two other accused in the case are still absconding. The confiscated items include parts of the leopard, one gun, five live bullets, two motorcycles, and other properties. The arrested individuals were produced before the principal civil judge and JMFC court in Kundapura, which remanded them to judicial custody.
The forest department is continuing its investigation to apprehend the remaining suspects. Wildlife conservationists have condemned the incident, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws.
