Wildlife offender sentenced to three years for leopard skin smuggling in Odisha

BERHAMPUR: The court of JMFC, Harabhanga in Boudh district on Monday sentenced a wildlife offender to three years of rigorous imprisonment (RI). A fine of Rs 10,000 was also imposed on the convict Goutam Behera of Nuasahi in Kandhamal district.

STF IG JN Pankaj said on January 20 this year, the STF, Bhubaneswar apprehended Behera near Ranipathar village at Purunakatak in Boudh district and recovered a leopard skin from his possession. Behera was waiting at the side of Charichhak-Phulbani main road to deliver the hide to a customer.