Despite attack, cops arrest eight for wildlife trafficking

Delhi Police Crime Branch has arrested eight persons including the gang leader of an interstate organised wildlife racket and his mother. While trying to arrest the gang leader in Paharganj, the other gang members attacked the police and injured a head constable and a constable. They even went to to the extent of biting the cops’ hands but the police somehow managed to nab all of them.

The gang leader has been identified as Akash (33) and two leopard hides have been recovered from the possession of two bike riders — Ganesh and Prabhulal.

According to police, on Monday, after receiving an information that Akash would come to Paharganj area, a trap was laid. At around 5 pm, Akash was apprehended when a mob including family members and relatives of Akash gathered at the spot and tried to forcibly free Akash from the custody of police officials of the Crime Branch.

“Akash and his family members became aggressive and opposed to his apprehension and attacked the police party. But the police party resisted their move and did not let Akash go. Akash, Seema (sister of Akash), Jatin (cousin), Sandeep (brother-in-law of Akash), Azad Ram (father-in-law of Akash) and others, tried to overpower the police team. They even bit Head Constable Hamender and Constable Pankaj on their hands and pelted stones at the police party. Despite sustaining multiple injuries, the duo did not let Akash go. Local police also came at the spot during the incident,” the senior official said.

Akash is the son of one Sansar Chand, who was a notorious interstate trafficker of wildlife species. He used to trade in organs, nails, teeth and hides of wild species. He was involved in several cases of Wild Life Act. In 2004, he died in the SMS Hospital, Jaipur, during medical treatment. He was lodged in the Alwar jail, Rajasthan during that period and was suffering from cancer.

“Nails of leopard were recovered from Akash’s possession. He was lodged in jail in this case till 2008 and got bail from court after spending almost 4 years in jail,” the official said.