Chikkamagaluru: According to some reports, efforts are being made to shield a “powerful” man accused in the monitor lizard hunting case by the son-in-law of former C M S M Krishna in Chikkamagaluru.
The four accused had killed a monitor lizard while celebrating 2017 New Year’s Eve in Shabaan Ramzaan Estate (encroached forest land) in Balehonnur range, in Koppa division. They later had proudly posted their catch on the social media.
The four accused are Praveen, Saifu, Appu alias Shashi Kanth and Navin. Owing to wide spread media outcry and public pressure offenders were persuaded by the manager to surrender and later arrested. A case was registered under sections 9, 39, 40 of Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and the accused were remanded to judicial custody.
However it is learnt that two of the accused are now being shown as absconding.
Social activist S R Hiremath has alleged that along with estate manager Nishchith, all the accused are being protected by the “powerful”. Hence he has asked for a probe through forest officers from Bengaluru.