The Odisha Police Special Task Force (STF) has arrested two wildlife criminals, Prakash Kanhar and Ranjit Bhokta, and recovered a leopard skin from their possession. Acting on intelligence, the STF conducted a raid near Arjunpur Chowk on Sonepur-Barpalli road (NH-126A) under Sonepur police jurisdiction.
The operation targeted illegal leopard skin trade involving criminals from Boudh district. During the search, authorities seized one leopard skin stored in an air bag along with other incriminating materials. Both accused failed to provide any valid licence or authorization for possession.
Cases have been registered against Kanhar and Bhokta under Sections 303(2)/317(2)/61(2)(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, read with Section 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The accused are set to be forwarded to the SDJM court in Sonepur, and investigations are ongoing.
