Wildlife trophy is any organ of a poached animal kept as a souvenir (representative)
New Delhi:
A 60-year-old non-resident Indian was caught at Delhi airport while trying to smuggle a “wildlife trophy” out of the country, police said on Friday.
Paljit Singh Paul Lalvani was about to board a flight to the US on March 24 when he was intercepted by the security staff at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, they said.
A wildlife trophy is any organ, such as the head or skin of a poached animal, that is kept as a souvenir.
The animal is believed to be an antelope falling under Schedule I and II of the Wildlife Protection Act, according to the FIR accessed by PTI.
The Delhi Police registered an FIR against Lalvani, a resident of New York in the US, on March 26, following a complaint filed by the Department of Forest and Wildlife.
The incident came to light when Lalvani’s luggage was scanned at the airport and a suspicious item was spotted in one of his suitcases, the FIR said. He was subsequently arrested.
Lalvani was initially booked under the Customs Act, 1962, but the case was later referred to the Wildlife Department by the officiating magistrate, Patiala House Court, with instructions to register an FIR.
Lalvani was handed over to the customs officials and they booked him under relevant sections of the Customs Act, 1962.
“I am writing to draw your attention to a serious violation of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which occurred at Indira Gandhi International Airport on March 24,” said the FIR filed by Rajesh Tandon, Deputy Range Officer, West Forest Division. Delhi.
“I urge you to kindly register an FIR against Paljit Singh Paul Lalvani, who is said to be traveling to the US,” the report said.
“The incident took place on March 24 when Lalvani was apprehended by DIAL (Airport Security) while he was trying to transport the above-mentioned wildlife trophy out of the country,” the FIR said.
Lalvani was produced before the Patiala House court and granted bail under customs laws. However, the duty magistrate directed the customs officials to hand over the seized item to the Wildlife Department, with further instructions to inform the IGI police station of the Station House Officer (SHO) for registration of FIR.
“This act is in clear violation of various sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act including but not limited to sections 39, 40, 48A, 49, 49B and 51. According to section 39 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, possession and transportation of trophies of registered species without proper permission are strictly prohibited,” the FIR said.
The FIR further stated that under Section 40, any attempt to export such trophies without the requisite permits is punishable under law.
A senior police officer in Delhi said a case under provisions 39, 49 and 51 of the Wild Animal Protection Act, 1972 has been registered and a fresh investigation has been initiated.
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