Adversitement
Allegations of Torture Surface in Leopard Skin Seizure Case; Lawyer Demands Action Against DRI Personnel
Published On : 2024-03-14T09:20:34+0530 [ IST ] |
Author : Mayur_Tembhare
Home
Court Conflicts
Claims
Andhra Pradesh / Visakhapatnam :
The ongoing leopard skin seizure case, spearheaded by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), has taken a startling turn as allegations of torture against DRI personnel surface, according to claims made by a lawyer representing the accused individuals. The lawyer, Saleem Abdus, has accused the DRI officials of subjecting the four arrested persons to severe torture during their interrogation while in custody. In a social media post, Abdus shared pictures of the accused individuals – Farroque, Kasim, Feroze, and Altab – and demanded that legal action be taken against the DRI personnel responsible for the alleged torture.
Abdus emphasized that all four accused persons belong to the minority community and called for the filing of a case against the DRI personnel under Section 330 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which pertains to voluntarily causing hurt to extort a confession or to compel restoration of property.
The incident unfolded when DRI personnel, accompanied by forest department officials, apprehended the four individuals from a hotel around noon. Following their arrest, the accused were allegedly subjected to torture during interrogation, as claimed by Abdus. However, forest department officials adhered to legal procedures and presented the accused before a local magistrate court in accordance with the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The court subsequently remanded the accused to judicial custody for two weeks.
Initial investigations by forest officials revealed that the seized leopard skin belonged to an adult leopard poached three to four months ago in Odisha. The poachers were reportedly en route to Visakhapatnam with the intention of finding prospective buyers for the illegal wildlife product when they were intercepted by DRI officials. In addition to the leopard skin, two vehicles and mobile phones were confiscated from the accused individuals.
It's important to note that leopards are protected animals listed under Schedule-1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Possession of any part of the animal's body constitutes a punishable offense under the act, carrying a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment.
As the investigation unfolds, the allegations of torture add a layer of complexity to the case, underscoring the need for a thorough and impartial inquiry into the conduct of the DRI personnel involved in the interrogation process.
Source : Deccan Chronicle
Tags : Legal Action , Leopard skin seizure , minority community , poaching , torture allegations , Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) , forest department. , Wildlife (Protection) Act , 1972 ,
Summary : The leopard skin seizure case, involving the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), has taken a dramatic turn with allegations of torture leveled against DRI personnel by a lawyer representing the accused individuals. The lawyer claims that the four persons taken into custody were subjected to severe torture during interrogation. The accused, belonging to the minority community, were arrested in connection with the illegal possession of a leopard skin, a protected animal under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The forest department officials have confirmed the seizure and revealed details of the poaching incident. Meanwhile, the lawyer demands legal action against the DRI personnel under Section 330 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Adversitement