Bengal monitor lizard is a reserved species under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, the accused, the accused could be charged with seven years of imprisonment, if found guilty.
Gothane (Maharashtra): In a shocking incident, Maharashtra Forest Department has arrested four persons for allegedly raping a Bengal monitor lizard. According to the department officials, the incident took place in the Sahydari Tiger Reserve near Gothane village and the incident came into light when they checked cell phones of accused persons. All four accused are forest hunters.
Since, Bengal monitor lizard is a reserved species under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, the accused, the accused could be charged with seven years of imprisonment, if charges were proven.
“The officials checked their (accused) phone and found video recording of the incident. Mobile recording has footage of the act which showed the accused allegedly gang-raping the monitor lizard,” the department officials said.
According to the reports, the accused persons, had allegedly reached the the core zone of Sahydari Tiger Reserve in the Gabha area at Gothane with the motive to commit the crime. The law enforcement agencies have identified them as Sandeep Tukram, Pawar Mangesh, Janardhan Kamtekar and Akshay Sunil.
Officials of the state forest department, posted as Sangli forest reserve, found them with the help of CCTV footages. The accused persons were seen roaming in the forest after conducting the crime. They all were in the forest with the purpose of hunting.
Considering the seriousness of the incident, forest officials have decided to pursue the matter with the Indian Penal Court (IPC) to discuss the charges against the arrested persons. They will be will be produced in a court and appropriate legal action will be initiated against them.
