NRI arrested for trying to smuggle ‘wildlife trophies’ out of India: Police

A wildlife trophy is any organ of a poached animal that is kept as a souvenir (representative)

New Delhi:

A 60-year-old non-resident Indian was arrested at Delhi airport while trying to smuggle “wildlife trophies” out of the country, police said on Friday.

They said Paljit Singh Paul Lalvani was about to board a flight to the United States on March 24 when he was intercepted by security guards at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. Personnel interception.

Wildlife trophies are any parts kept as souvenirs, such as the head or skin of a poached animal.

According to the FIR obtained by PTI, the animal is presumed to be an antelope covered in Schedules I and II of the Wildlife Protection Act.

The Delhi Police registered an FIR against Rawani, a resident of New York, US, on March 26 following a complaint filed by the Forest and Wildlife Department.

The incident came to light when a suspicious item was found in one of Lawani’s suitcases when his luggage was being scanned at the airport, the FIR said. He was subsequently arrested.

Rawani was initially booked under the Customs Act, 1962, but the case was later referred to the wildlife department by the duty judge, Patiala House Court, who directed that an FIR be registered.

Rawani was handed over to customs officials who booked him under relevant sections of the Customs Act, 1962.

“I am writing this letter to draw your attention to an incident of serious violation of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which took place at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on March 24,” said Rajesh, Deputy Range Officer, West Forest District ·The FIR filed by Rajesh Tandon, Delhi.

“I request you to lodge an FIR against Paljit Singh Paul Lalvani, who was supposed to travel to the United States,” the statement said.

“The incident took place on March 24 when Lawani was arrested by the DIAL (Airport Security) while trying to transport the said wildlife trophies out of the country,” the FIR said.

Rawani appeared before the Patiala House Court and was granted bail under the Customs Act. However, the duty judge directed the customs officials to hand over the seized items to the wildlife department and further directed the station house officer (SHO) IGI police station to register the FIR.

“This act is a clear violation of multiple provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, including but not limited to Sections 39, 40, 48A, 49, 49B and 51. According to Section 39 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act , is in possession of trophies of listed species without proper authorization and transportation of listed species is strictly prohibited,” the FIR read.

The FIR further stated that under Section 40, any attempt to export such trophies without necessary permission will be punishable by law.

A senior Delhi police officer said a case has been registered under Sections 39, 49 and 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and further investigation has been initiated.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)