Possession of suspected leopard tooth: Union Minister Suresh Gopi to be summoned
The Kerala Forest department will issue a notice to Mr. Gopi shortly asking him to produce the pendant and appear before the Divisional Forest Officer, Thrissur, for the inquiry.
Mr. Gopi will be asked to explain the nature and source of the pendant. The department will also ascertain whether the pendant is a wildlife trophy or an artificial one.
As per Wildlife Protection Act
The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 prescribes that no one other than a person having a certificate of ownership, shall, after the commencement of the Act, acquire, receive, keep in his control, custody or possession any captive animal, animal article, trophy or uncured trophy specified in Schedule I or Part II of Schedule II, except by way of inheritance.
Offences related to animals such as leopards, which are included in Schedule 1 of the Act, including the possession of a trophy, can attract a jail term between three and seven years and also a fine.
Complaint
Muhammad Hashim, an activist of the Youth Congress in Thrissur, had approached the State Police Chief (SPC) and Forest officers with the complaint. Mr. Hashim filed a complaint with the Divisional Forest Officers of Thrissur and Kannur in June as the office of the SPC informed him that the forest officers were the competent authorities to act in such cases.
The actor, who attended a few public functions in Thrissur and Kannur, was seen sporting a chain with a pendant resembling a leopard tooth. The use and display of such an article is an offence and hence action shall be initiated against him under the Act, demanded Mr. Hashim in his complaint.
News clips of the events attended by Mr. Gopi in which he was seen wearing the suspected ornament were attached to the complaint. If the pendant is found to be a wildlife trophy, he should be proceeded against, said Mr. Hashim.
Personal appearance
The personal appearance of the actor before the Forest officer is indispensable, as information regarding the suspected article will have to be obtained from him. He will also have the option of filing a written statement to the questions raised by the inquiry officer. The future course of action will be decided after obtaining his statement, highly placed Forest department sources indicated.
Recently, the department had arrested popular rapper Vedan (Hirandas Murali) after he was found wearing a similar ornament. The singer, who had to spend a day in jail, was released on bail later.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Pragya Thakur Claims She Was Coerced Into Naming PM Modi In Malegaon Blast Case
New Delhi: In a startling revelation following her acquittal in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur has alleged that investigators pressured her to implicate top political and RSS leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. According to an NDTV report, Thakur, who was acquitted on Thursday along with Lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit and five others by a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court, claimed she was tortured during the investigation and forced to name several senior figures. 'They tortured me. My lungs collapsed, and I was detained illegally in the hospital,' she said. 'They told me to name people like Ram Madhav, Yogi Adityanath, Mohan Bhagwat, and even Prime Minister Modi. They said if I took these names, they wouldn't beat me.' Thakur further stated that investigators exploited her residence in Gujarat to push her to link PM Modi to the case. 'I didn't name anyone because they were trying to make me lie,' she said, adding that her experiences would be detailed in a forthcoming book, as per the reports. Her allegations come shortly after a court verdict exposed inconsistencies in the investigation. A hostile witness had previously told the court that he was coerced into naming Yogi Adityanath and four other RSS-linked individuals, including senior RSS member Indresh Kumar. These claims echoed earlier accusations by Mehboob Mujawar, a former Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) officer, who said he was ordered to arrest RSS chief Bhagwat, a directive he refused. Mujawar reiterated on Friday that there was a deliberate attempt to portray the case as one of 'saffron terror' and misdirect the investigation. Despite these claims, the Special NIA court rejected all such allegations. On Thursday, after a 17-year legal battle, the court acquitted all seven accused, citing the prosecution's failure to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The verdict, delivered by Special Judge A.K. Lahoti in Mumbai, absolved the accused of all charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Arms Act, and other laws. The seven individuals on trial included Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, former BJP MP from Bhopal, Lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit, then a Military Intelligence officer, Major (Retd) Ramesh Upadhyay, Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhakar Dwivedi, Sudhakar Chaturvedi, and Sameer Kulkarni. The Malegaon blast occurred on September 29, 2008, in the communally sensitive town of Malegaon in Maharashtra, during the holy month of Ramzan and just ahead of Navratri. The explosion killed six people and injured over 100. Pragya Thakur was arrested in October 2008 after the motorcycle used in the blast was traced back to her. Investigators alleged that she and others conspired to target Muslim-majority areas in retaliation for previous terror attacks. Lt Col Purohit was accused of supporting the radical Hindu outfit Abhinav Bharat and allegedly helped organize meetings and procure explosives. With the court now ruling in favor of the accused, the focus has shifted to the conduct of the original investigation—and the explosive claims of coercion, torture, and political targeting that continue to emerge.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
2 foreigners held in Delhi for drug peddling, confess to overstaying in India
The Delhi Police Anti-Narcotics Squad has arrested two foreign nationals for allegedly peddling drugs in the national capital. The release said that more than 650 persons involved in street crime were arrested in the month of July 2025.(PTI File Photo/representational) The accused, identified as Bernadin (39) and Ezekile (33), were apprehended during a raid in Gali No. 13, Govindpuri, on July 31, said the police. A significant quantity of narcotics was recovered from their possession, including 36.64 grams of cocaine, 61.16 grams of MD (Mephedrone), eight mobile phones, a weighing machine, drug-packing pouches, and ₹10,600 in cash. Police have registered a case under Section 21 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and Section 14 of the Foreigners Act at Govindpuri Police Station. During interrogation, the accused confessed to overstaying in India and being unemployed. To sustain themselves, they allegedly turned to drug peddling, said the police. Further investigations are underway. Meanwhile, Delhi Police (West District) initiated a campaign across all fronts to check crime and nuisance in the area. A multifaceted approach was adopted to tackle street crime, organised crime, and rein in mischief mongers, according to an official statement by Delhi Police. The release said that more than 650 persons involved in street crime were arrested in the month of July 2025, which includes 24 robbers, 28 snatchers, 21 burglars and 75 thieves. More than 55 cases of the Arms Act, the Excise Act, the Gambling Act and the NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act were registered in the month of July alone. Delhi police said, 'Action against street criminals: With the arrest of 24 robbers, a total of 14 cases were worked out, along with the recovery of Rs. 46440/- cash and one mobile phone. Out of the 24 arrested robbers, nine are repeat offenders. With the arrest of 28 snatchers, a total of 20 cases were resolved. Out of the 28 arrested snatchers, 16 are repeat offenders.'
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Student Police Cadet is Kerala's contribution to world, says Minister P. Rajeeve
Student Police Cadet (SPC) programme is one of the many novel concepts contributed by Kerala to the world, said Minister for Industries and Law P. Rajeeve. He was speaking after inaugurating the SPC Day celebrations at the Keezhmadu Model Residential School in Ernakulam district on Saturday (August 2, 2025). SPC plays a significant role in inculcating among students awareness about law, discipline, social commitment, humanitarian values and sense of justice. The Minister hailed SPC for fulfilling an honourable mission in a prideful manner. Key role The State government has devised a comprehensive programme to resist drugs even as the drug menace is getting worsened across the world. More than penal measures, there is a need to create awareness about drugs and its threat. The State now has a system to report students found abusing substances and to bring them back to normal life with the support of experts. SPC is best placed to make schools drug-free. Mr. Rajeeve wished SPC to be able to live up to that challenge. Consent letters were handed over to schools, which were newly issued SPC programme. Keezhmadu Model Residential School and Mar Elias Higher Secondary School bagged the first and second prizes for the best SPC platoon. Anti-drug pledge was administered to students at the event. Kochi City Deputy Commissioner Juvvanapudi Mahesh hoisted the flag marking the inauguration of celebrations. A parade by SPCs from 10 schools was also held.
