Nine held near Raikal toll plaza for alleged blackbuck hunting, meat smuggling

Nine people were arrested by Shadnagar police, the Special Operations Team (SOT) and Forest Department officials near Raikal toll plaza on Monday for allegedly hunting a blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) and transporting its meat for sale.

The accused were identified as Md Hajiuddin (36), Meer Mukhtar Ali (37), Md Tajamul (37), Meer Raza Ali Khan (39), Khurram Khan (35), Syed Salman Ali (30), Md Afroz Khan (36), Md Abdul Aziz (33) and Md Riyaz (28), police said. Of them, six are from Hyderabad, two from Sangareddy and one from Mahbubnagar.

The joint team recovered around 13 kg of suspected blackbuck meat, along with a .315 rifle, telescopic sight, silencer, 19 rounds of ammunition, two vehicles, eight mobile phones, a camera, two torch lights and Rs 28,590 in cash.

Police said a preliminary investigation found that the accused had travelled to the Marikal forest area near Narayanpet, where they allegedly hunted the blackbuck. The meat was then being taken to Hyderabad for sale when the group was intercepted near Raikal toll plaza following information received by the authorities.

A case has been registered under Sections 9, 39, 50, 51 and 57 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, along with Section 30 of the Arms Act, 1959.

Police said the case was detected within 24 hours and further investigation is in progress.

The blackbuck is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Under Section 51 of the Act, offences involving Schedule I animals can result in imprisonment of three to seven years and a minimum fine of Rs 25,000 upon conviction.

Shadnagar DCP C Sirisha Raghavendra praised the coordinated efforts of the Shadnagar Police, SOT and Forest Department teams in arresting the accused.

Shiv Aasheesh Singh, IFS, DFO, Rangareddy district, was also involved in the investigation, officials said.

Future City Police and the Forest Department appealed to the public to share information about illegal hunting, wildlife smuggling or the sale of wildlife meat. The Forest Department helpline numbers are 1800-425-5364 and 040-23231440.