Wildlife peddler convicted, sentenced to five years rigorous imprisonment

PRASHANT ACHARYA

BAGDOGRA,: In a landmark victory against organised wildlife crime, the West Bengal Forest Department has secured the conviction of the prime accused in an elephant tusk trafficking case, with a Siliguri court awarding five years' rigorous imprisonment and aRs50,000 fine under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

The case dates back to 20th December 2025, when a team from Ghoshpukur Range under Kurseong Forest Division, acting on specific intelligence, intercepted a Nepal-registered Mahindra XUV500 near Bagdogra Bihar More on Asian Highway-2.

The operation was led by Forest RangerSambarta Sadhu, assisted by Ban Sahayak Saran Tamang and RDL ManjurAlam. During the search, officials recovered an illegally transported elephant tusk, leading to the arrest of Kamal Agarwal of Siliguri and Ganesh Basfor of Nepal under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Meanwhile, driver Ganesh was acquitted and Agarwal was convicted in the case.

During the investigation, the voluntary confessional statements of the accused were recorded by Assistant Divisional Forest Officer and Ex-officio Assistant Wildlife Warden Rahul Deb Mukherjee. The seized article was later scientifically examined by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), which confirmed it to be an elephant tusk belonging to a Schedule I protected species.

The Forest Department completed the investigation swiftly, submitting the Prosecution Offence Report (POR) within 45 days, following which the custodial trial commenced. Throughout the legal proceedings, the accused repeatedly sought bail before the Additional District Judge's Court and the High Court. On every occasion, Forest Department officers personally appeared before the courts and successfully opposed the bail petitions.

Following the trial, the court convicted the prime accused, Kamal Agarwal, sentencing him to five years' rigorous imprisonment along with aRs50,000 fine. The judgment is considered one of the highest punishments awarded by a Siliguri court in a wildlife trafficking case, marking a significant milestone in the fight against organised wildlife crime.

Forest officials stated that the conviction reflects the West Bengal Forest Department's commitment to swift investigation, effective prosecution and strict enforcement of wildlife protection laws, sending a strong message that wildlife offenders will face stringent legal consequences.