Kolkata: This happened two days ago, on July 13 around 7.00 pm, two residents of Tamil Nadu, Dinesh Kumar Velappan (21) of Chennai and Maheshraj AD (24) of Tiruvannamalai were arrested from Maa Durga Bus Stand, Dharmatala, under Maidan Police Station, on charges of possessing 509 live Indian Star tortoises, which is a violation of Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act (1972). The accused failed to provide any permission from a competent authority or satisfactory answers as to why they were transporting such a huge number of tortoises for illegal trading.
A case was registered on the basis of a complaint by Sub-Inspectors Mr. Sandip Dutta and Mr. Srabanti Ghosh of Maidan Police Station. The latter was also appointed investigating officer of the case.
Our investigation is in progress, and on July 14, the tortoises were handed over to Alipore Zoological Garden authorities for safe custody and proper care. On the same day, further investigation of the case was taken up by the Wildlife Section, Detective Department.
Our, Reporter in Chief
R. Manoj Kumar Sharma
Siliguri City, West Bengal
