The local crime branch (LCB) of the police arrested two individuals for possessing a leopard’s skin in Tapovan, on the outskirts of the city. The LCB had received a tip-off that the two men were coming to the area on a motorcycle to sell the leopard’s hide to potential buyers.
The arrested individuals, Babu Sakharam Doiphode (57) from Tilari Nagar and Dhaklu Balu Shinde (65) from Here village, both hailing from Chandgad tehsil, were caught in possession of the leopard’s skin hidden in a plastic sack. According to LCB police inspector Ravindra Kalamkar, the suspects had intended to sell the leopard’s hide for Rs 40,000.
The authorities suspect that the duo may have been involved in poaching the leopard, and investigations are underway to determine the fate of the animal’s remains. The LCB is working to uncover more details about the illegal wildlife trade operation they were attempting to conduct.
