Nagpur: Judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) RD Patinge has sentenced a poacher to three years rigorous imprisonment for killing a bison in Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR).
The convict, Sonu Iwane (50), a resident of Jogali in Bhaisdehi taluka of Betul district, and his 11 accomplices from Palanga, had illegally entered the tiger reserve and hunted a bison (gaur) on July 12, 2017, in Raipur range of Bodpadav round under Sipna division.
Acting on a tip off, forest officials led by assistant conservator of forests (ACF) Balkrishna Bhagat had nabbed Iwane while he was running away from the spot while cooking meat of bison. The other 11 accused managed to escape.
Bison is listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and amounts to same sections and punishment like poaching of tiger. Iwane admitted to killing the animal and also showed the spot where it was killed. The accused was part of a gang from neighbouring Madhya Pradesh habitual in killing herbivores in Melghat.
Generally, poachers get away after committing such crime due to slow and lethargic investigations. But ACF Bhagat prepared a watertight case and in one of the fastest judgements, the accused was convicted in just eight months.
Apart from three-year imprisonment, the accused has been imposed a fine of Rs50,000. “If the accused fails to pay fine, he will have to undergo additional six months imprisonment,” said assistant government pleader GA Vichore.