Monday, January 21, 2008

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050714/haryana.htm#7

Carcass of spotted deer recovered
Tribune News Service

Sirsa, July 13
The recovery of a carcass of the endangered spotted deer or cheetal from the house of a former sarpanch in the district has taken a new turn with the Prevention of Cruelty on Animals (PFA) blaming wildlife officials of flouting the law. Soon after the post mortem officials of the Wildlife Department reportedly cremated the body instead of burying it.

Following a tip off by an informer, the district wildlife officials raided the house of Mr Beant Singh in Mojukhera village, about 60 km from here in Ellenabad subdivision on Monday. The raiding party successfully recovered the remains of the cheetal bundled in a sack from the rooftop of the accused.

Talking to this correspondent, the District Wildlife Inspector, Mr R.P. Dangi, said the action was taken after the department received specific information. He said along with the wildlife team, the department also roped in the district police from Ellenabad while raiding the premises of the accused.

Sources said soon after the raid, the carcass was taken to the Ellenabad hospital where a board of veterinary doctors conducted the post mortem. Later the body was cremated. According to Mr Dangi, the report mentioned that the cheetal, the Schedule 3 animal was killed 24 hours prior to the post mortem.

The deer was done to death by a pointed weapon, added Mr Dangi. Though the Wildlife Department under the Wildlife Protection Act has registered a complaint, no arrests have been made so far.

Coming down heavily on wildlife officials, the president of the PFA, Haryana chapter, Mr Naresh Kadyan, demanded strict action against the officials concerned.

According to a senior police official, the accused and his relatives had enmity over property.

The police is looking into the conspiracy angle to ascertain whether the accused was falsely implicated in the case.

Citing the post mortem report, an investigating official said probably someone from the rival family could have thrown the sack on the rooftop as the house was situated on the road.

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