Wildlife Poachers Sentenced: A Landmark Ruling in Mayurbhanj District

Court Delivers Tough Sentence for Poaching Offenders

Baripada: In a significant ruling, a local court in Mayurbhanj district sentenced two individuals to four years in prison and imposed a hefty fine of Rs 50 lakh each in connection with a wildlife poaching incident.

Chief Judicial Magistrate Debashish Mohanty declared the defendants guilty, emphasizing that failure to pay the imposed fines would lead to an additional year of incarceration.

The convicted individuals, identified as 27-year-old Nirmal Birua and 35-year-old Prem Munda, are residents of Badajunapala, which falls under the jurisdiction of Kaptipada police.

Details from the case reveal that the pair unlawfully entered the Bagahanta range of Similipal Tiger Reserve on the night of June 23, 2020, with the intention of hunting wildlife.

They reportedly set up camp on a ‘mancha’ (a raised platform made from trees) and allegedly killed a deer early the following morning.

The venison was subsequently processed and taken back to their homes. Acting on reliable intelligence, personnel from the Forest Department, along with the Similipal Tiger Protection Force and local forest staff, conducted a coordinated operation.

The suspects were apprehended and interrogated, leading to the confiscation of two bows, 12 arrows, a machete, various hunting equipment, and the venison.

The court's decision was supported by the testimonies of five witnesses and the investigative report from the Forest Department.

Officials reiterated that laws safeguarding wildlife are stringent, and any form of hunting or harassment of wild animals is treated as a serious crime with severe penalties.

This ruling marks the third consecutive conviction for poaching within the Similipal Tiger Reserve. Samrat Gouda, Deputy Director of Similipal South Division, highlighted that this case not only showcases the successful apprehension of poachers but also the critical importance of meticulous case documentation to secure maximum penalties.