Out on Bail Sansar Chand's gang continues rampant poaching

Another poacher arrest this time from Haryana has highlighted the challenges facing wildlife protection in India. Bheema, a wanted criminal for killing tigers and leapords and a member of Sansar Chand gang was nabbed by WCCB from Ballabhgarh. According to media reports, investigators themselves accept the limited impact these on off arrests make to curbing poaching and wildlife trade given that most of the nabbed criminals manage to secure bail within no time and are back to their old ways. Sansar Chand India's most dreaded and notorious wildlife poacher was let out on bail by Supreme Court this year in August after Rajasthan Police failed to present a strong case against his release. The poacher has single handedly caused immense destruction to the country's wildlife and as per an admission made to CBI in 2006 he has dealt in trading of no less than 470 tiger and upwards of 2000 leopard skins. Investigators say Sansar Chand;s entire extended family is in business and even during the time he has spent in jail poaching activities have continued with his guidance. As Jairam Ramesh has been saying there is a case for significantly strengthening wildlife laws to prevent such criminals from being let out so easily and until that is done there is little hope of stopping the killings.

CBI arrests poachers, will they be convicted ?

A PTI report cites the arrest of two poachers by the CBI wanted in cases related to killing of Panthers and Tigers in Sariska. Apparently the duo has been evading arrest since 2005 and were caught in Punjab with the help of local police. With most poaching related arrests based on half baked cases it is no wonder these criminals get bail in no time and and are back to their hunting ways in double quick time. If the recent cases of INdia's most dreaded poacher Sansar Chand being let off on bail is any indicator, it is unlikely any of these arrests will help slide the destruction of wildlife in INdia.

CBI arrests two of inter-state wildlife poaching gang

http://www.ptinews.com/news/327723_CBI-arrests-two-of-inter-state-wildlife-poaching-gang

Dreaded poacher let out on bail by court - India cant enforce its laws

In a shocking case of apathy displayed by public prosecutors and police, India's most famous and dreaded poachers has been granted bail by the Supreme court pending final decision of a case against him in the apex court. It is relevant to note that Sansar Chand has numerous cases going on against him in trial courts across India for having killed numerous tigers, leopards and other wildlife. He is behind bars in Jaipur after being convicted in one case by a trail court a judgement that was upheld by the Rajasthan. Releasing such a dreaded criminal on bail smacks of insensitivity towards protection of wildlife. Despite all the media pressure and hype such criminals getting away using loopholes in the justice delivery system smacks of unwillingness to tackle serious crime head on. If the govt was serious of restraining him they would have vociferously appealed against granting of bail to a person who has and still has potential to afflict enormous damage to the country's wildlife. One hopes the central MOEF takes note of this development and a petition is filed at the earliest to revoke the bail order.

Wildlife activists shocked at jail suspension of Sansar Chan

http://www.samaylive.com/news/wildlife-activists-shocked-at-jail-suspension-of-sansar-chand/658780.html