16 live snakes seized from Bangkok flyer at Mumbai airport
A passenger who arrived from Bangkok was arrested at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on June 27 after Customs officials found 16 live snakes concealed in his baggage, news agency PTI reported, citing officials.The seizure occurred following a spot check by officers from Mumbai Customs Zone-III.The Indian national, who had travelled on Flight 6E1052, was intercepted upon arrival. Officials said the passenger showed signs of nervousness during questioning, which prompted further inspection of his luggage.advertisement
The search led to the recovery of multiple species of live snakes kept inside cotton bags. These included:Two Kenyan Sand Boas (Gongylophis colubrinus)
(Image source: Mustafa Sheikh)
Five Rhinoceros Rat Snakes (Gonyosoma boulengeri)
(Image source: Mustafa Sheikh)
One Albino Rat Snake (Pantherophis guttatus)
(Image source: Mustafa Sheikh)
advertisementTwo Garter Snakes (Thamnophis spp.)
(Image source: Mustafa Sheikh)
One Coastal Banded California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae)
(Image source: Mustafa Sheikh)
Five Albino Honduran Milk Snakes (Lampropeltis triangulum hondurensis)
(Image source: Mustafa Sheikh)
All the animals were seized as per procedures outlined under the Wildlife Protection Act, and a 'panchanama' was drawn on June 28. The passenger was arrested under provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.According to PTI, officials confirmed that the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau is coordinating with Customs authorities to initiate repatriation of the seized reptiles to their country of origin, in compliance with applicable wildlife laws.Experts from the Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW) assisted Customs in handling and identifying the snakes.advertisementFurther investigation is underway.(With inputs from Mustafa Sheikh and PTI)- EndsMust Watch
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Print
2 hours ago
- The Print
Kargil martyr Capt Kalia remembered, father's quest for justice continues 26 years on
Kalia, a retired senior scientist from the Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT), says he has full faith in the country's political leadership and judicial system and hopes those responsible for the heinous crime will be held accountable. On what would have been his 49th birthday today, the enduring legacy of Captain Kalia was brought to the fore again by his 78-year-old father Dr N N Kalia, as he fights for justice over his son's brutal treatment in the custody of Pakistan. New Delhi, Jun 29 (PTI) Twenty-six years after Kargil War hero Captain Saurabh Kalia was brutally tortured and killed by the Pakistani forces, his father remains committed in his quest to drag Pakistan to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for violations of the Geneva Convention. 'His unmatchable martyrdom in this unique way awoke the whole sleepy nation, lit the patriotic fire in the country and had a catalytic effect on the entire armed forces,' recalls the father. Lt Saurabh Kalia, belonging to the 4-Jat regiment, had gone with five soldiers for a reconnaissance mission in Kaksar in Kargil in the third week of May 1999. The team went missing and the first news of their disappearance was broadcast on Askardu radio in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The bodies of Lt Saurabh, who was made captain posthumously, and his team — sepoys Arjun Ram, Banwar Lal, Bhikaram, Moola Ram and Naresh Singh — were handed over to India on June 9. The next day, on June 10, PTI broke the story about Pakistan's tale of barbarism. The bodies were without their vital parts, eyeballs gouged out and noses, ears and genitals chopped off. This kind of ruthlessness had never been witnessed in the history of armed conflicts between the two countries and India had expressed its outrage over the mutilation and disfigurement of its army personnel and termed it a 'violation of international conventions'. Despite the passage of time, the family feels anything but alone. 'People have given us so much love and respect,' the senior Kalia said while acknowledging the overwhelming support from across India and even abroad. He said the family receives letters and calls from visitors expressing their eagerness to learn more about the Kargil martyr. The museum in his memory has been established at their Palampur residence and it draws approximately 600-800 visitors annually, including many tourists who have heard of Captain Kalia's story. 'Unknown people say that they have heard so much about Captain Kalia. Now that we have come here, it is good,' he said to highlight the lasting impact of his son's sacrifice. Captain Kalia's younger brother, Vaibhav Kalia, a faculty member in Computer Sciences at Agriculture University, Palampur, also spoke of the unwavering public memory. 'People have not forgotten their martyrs,' he says, noting the enthusiasm among children at the event. Vaibhav Kalia's own family is upholding Captain Kalia's legacy. His elder son is pursuing a BSc in Agriculture and is involved in NCC, while his younger son, Vyomesh, harbours a keen interest in joining the armed forces and plans to appear for the NDA exam. 'I will be very happy if my two kids at least give an honest try to join the armed forces,' he said. Captain Kalia's mother, though deeply private in her grief, remains 'very brave' and immensely proud of her son, according to Vaibhav. Before leaving for his duty, Capt Kalia uttered his prophetic last words to his mother over phone 'Maa tum dekhna ek din aisa kaam kar jaunga, ki saari duniya mein mera naam hoga (Mother, you will see one day I will do such a deed that the whole world will acknowledge that)'. This promise, tragically fulfilled through his ultimate sacrifice, is sustained not only by his grieving family and the consistent tributes from the Indian Army but also by a continuous stream of visitors to the family's dedicated museum. Although the pursuit of justice for his handling in Pakistani custody is still a complicated diplomatic issue, the Kalia family derives huge solace from the unflinching public love and admiration, guaranteeing Captain Kalia's tale of bravery and nationalism continues to motivate fresh generations, including his nephews who dream of becoming members of the armed forces. Kalia had filed a petition in 2012 under Article 32 of the Constitution (the right to constitutional remedies, specifically the right to move the Supreme Court for the enforcement of fundamental rights). He had requested a directive to the government to seek proper legal redress, including approaching the International Court of Justice, against Pakistan for the heinous violations of the Geneva Convention. The Geneva Convention talks about the treatment of Prisoners of War under the rights and protections POWs which includes humane treatment, specifies conditions of detention, and providing food, clothing and medical care. The convention also prohibits torture, violence, and other forms of mistreatment. The petition also pointed out that Captain Kalia and his men suffered more than two weeks of unparalleled brutal torture before their bodies were transferred on June 9, 1999, a barbarism attested by the postmortem report of June 11, 1999. In spite of the unimaginable suffering, they did not crack, displaying patriotism, strength, courage and perseverance that still makes the whole nation proud. PTI SKL RT RT This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
The Print
2 hours ago
- The Print
Indians charged by CBI for 2008 & 2011 murders in UAE & Bahrain—the cases & law barring extradition
These are among unique cases investigated by the CBI, based on recommendations from the government and material evidence shared with the agency by the Ministry of External Affairs as provided by the foreign authorities. More than 14 years later, on 10 June 2025, India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a chargesheet against Mahla for the alleged murder. A week before that, the agency filed a chargesheet against another Indian national for a 2008 murder in Abu Dhabi. New Delhi: On the morning of 31 January 2011, Bahraini national Mohammed Sultan Al-Motawa was killed allegedly by his driver, an Indian citizen. Bahraini courts found evidence conclusive enough to order life imprisonment for Subhash Chander Mahla in absentia. He had fled the kingdom after committing the alleged offence. The agency has charged Mahla under section 302 (murder) and 404 (dishonest misappropriation of property possessed by a deceased person at the time of their death) of the Indian Penal Code based on forensic evidence and other related material shared by the Bahraini authorities with the Government of India. An agency spokesperson said Friday the investigation revealed that Mahla was aggrieved by his employer's continued misbehaviour and planned to kill him. On 31 January 2011 when his boss was alone, the accused assaulted him with a solid, traumatising tool, leaving him dead. After Al-Motawa's death, Mahla also stole the money from his slain employer, the spokesperson further said. In the second case, the agency filed a chargesheet against Inder Jit Singh on 17 June 2025 for allegedly murdering another Indian citizen, Rama Lingam Natesan, in Abu Dhabi in August 2008. Natesan used to sell international SIM cards in Abu Dhabi and Singh would purchase them from him on a credit basis, the CBI spokesperson said, 'Over a period of time, the debt of Inder Jit Singh reached AED (Arab Emirates dirham) 300. Due to this, a dispute broke out between them. When Rama Lingam Natesan asked the employer of Inder Jit Singh to deduct his outstanding dues from his salary, Inder Jit Singh hatched a plan to kill Rama Lingam Natesan. On 28.08.2008, finding Rama Lingam Natesan alone, Inder Jit Singh assaulted him with a sharp knife causing grievous injuries to him, to which he later succumbed,' the spokesperson said. CBI FILES CHARGE SHEETS AGAINST TWO INDIAN NATIONALS FOR MURDER IN UAE AND BAHRAIN — Central Bureau of Investigation (India) (@CBIHeadquarters) June 27, 2025 Before filing the chargesheets, the agency obtained sanctions from the central government after the conclusion of investigations and examined the accused based on evidence shared by U.A.E. and Bahraini authorities, officials said. However, neither was arrested as they never evaded examination by the agency, ThePrint has learnt. Trials of crimes committed abroad Investigation into crimes committed by foreign nationals in a country are covered by the extradition treaties signed between the nationalities involved. In the instant cases, the need for local prosecution arose from the treaties India has signed with the U.A.E. and Bahrain. The treaties bar extradition. In Singh's case, the Abu Dhabi trial court-Criminal Circuit handed him the death penalty in April 2009, and ordered him to pay the blood money (monetary support for the victim's kin) of 200 AED. UAE authorities reached out to their Indian counterparts for extradition, which is barred by Article 5 of the treaty between the two countries. So, the public prosecution in Abu Dhabi requested its counterparts in New Delhi in September 2012 to try the accused in a competent court. 'The nationals of the Contracting States shall not be extradited to the other Contracting State, provided that the requested State shall submit the case to its competent authorities for prosecution if the act committed is considered as an offence under the laws of both Contracting States,' says the Article 5 of the India-UAE extradition treaty signed in 1999. Following on, the UAE embassy in New Delhi issued a note verbale in May 2016 seeking Singh's prosecution in India. A month later, the Ministry of External Affairs responded to the note, seeking additional information beyond the dossier shared by the UAE authorities to establish the identity of the accused. It had sought a certified copy of the accused's passport, as well as his photograph, to verify identity, fulfilling a total of four requirements. Diplomatic exchanges flew back and forth between the MEA and the UAE embassy in New Delhi until November 2016, when the ministry wrote to the CBI to launch local prosecution in the matter. The agency was mandated to perform this task earlier in May of that year by the Ministry of Personnel and Public Grievances, and to seek sanction for it from the MHA under Section 188 of the CrPC, which deals with offences committed outside India. Based on the letter from the MEA, the agency finally booked Inder Jit Singh, a resident of Punjab's Jalandhar, on 22 January 2020, under Section 302 of the IPC. A similar provision was applied in the case of Mahla, who hails from Rajasthan's Sikar district. A Bahraini court handed him life sentence in his absence. As his extradition was not possible under the terms of the treaty, the Bahraini authorities sought to prosecute him locally. 'Extradition shall be refused if the person wanted is a national of the requested State. For the purpose of this Treaty, nationality of the person sought for extradition shall be determined to be that at the time of the commission of the offence,' says the Article 6 of the India-Bahrain treaty signed in January 2004. Based on material evidence shared with the Ministry of External Affairs, Mahla was booked under sections 302 and 404 of the IPC on 28 April 2022. 'The available information and documents as received from Kingdom of Bahrain through Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India, New Delhi are self-explanatory and disclose that there is sufficient evidence against Mr. Subhash Chandar Mahla to charge him for committing murder of Mohammed Sultan Al-Motawa at Bahrain on 31/01/2011,' the FIR stated. It also revealed that Mahla fled to India immediately after committing the murder. 'In view of the Extradition Agreement dt. 13/01/2004 between Republic of India and Kingdom of Bahrain, Local Prosecution against Mr. Subhash Chandar Mahla is being launched and he is charged for committing murder of Mohammed Sultan Al-Motawa at Bahrain on 31/01/2011 and also for committing Criminal Misappropriation of property possessed by deceased at the time of death which is an offence u/s 302 and 404 of IPC,' the FIR adds. (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: Prioritising extradition requests, speeding up legal assistance — high-level UK delegation visits CBI
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Criminal Justice season 4 finale set for July 3: Will Pankaj Tripathi aka Madhav Mishra finally crack the case?
The courtroom drama that has kept India on edge is nearing its final verdict. Criminal Justice: A Family Matter , the fourth season of the acclaimed legal thriller, will air its final episode soon. With the mystery of nurse Roshni Saluja's murder still unresolved, fans are expecting a dramatic conclusion. A season of secrets, lies, and legal twists Starring Pankaj Tripathi as the ever-resourceful lawyer Madhav Mishra, Season 4 has plunged viewers into a tangled web of family secrets and courtroom intrigue. The case revolves around Dr. Raj Nagpal, who is accused of murdering his girlfriend Roshni, a nurse, while his estranged wife Anju and daughter Ira are caught in the emotional crossfire. Each episode has unveiled new layers of the case, with Episode 7 ending on a suspenseful note involving a random lactose-free milk bottle and a new piece of evidence that might change everything. When and where to watch A recent Wikipedia edit mistakenly led fans to believe the finale had already aired on June 26. However, the show's creators clarified that Episode 7 was released on that date. The actual finale, Episode 8, will stream at midnight on July 3, 2025, exclusively on JioHotstar. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo What to expect With Madhav Mishra's legal team closing in on the truth and public speculation running wild, the finale promises to deliver high-stakes drama and long-awaited answers. The key questions remain: Will justice be served? Or will the truth remain buried beneath layers of privilege and manipulation? About the show Criminal Justice is an adaptation of the acclaimed 2008 British series of the same name. Written by Shridhar Raghavan and directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia and Vishal Furia, the Indian version delves deep into the complex, emotional, and often harrowing journey of individuals caught in the country's criminal justice system. The series made its debut on April 5, 2019, on Hotstar and was instantly praised for its intense storytelling and powerful performances. Featuring a cast that includes Vikrant Massey, Jackie Shroff, Anupriya Goenka, and Mita Vashisht, with Pankaj Tripathi leading as the protagonist, Criminal Justice has resonated strongly with both audiences and critics.
