Latest news with #BhaveshRameshbhaiSolanki
Indian Express
17-07-2025
- Indian Express
Endangered pythons, rabbits, parrots seized from passengers at Pune airport, animals to be sent back to Bangkok
Officials with the Customs Department on Tuesday arrested two passengers who arrived from Bangkok at Pune airport and seized smuggled exotic wild animals, including green tree pythons, double-eyed fig parrots, and Sumatran striped rabbits, from them. The endangered animals are set to be sent back to Thailand under the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Pune Customs said. 'On specific intelligence, Pune Customs officers intercepted two passengers, namely Zaheerabbas Aynal Mandal and Bhavesh Rameshbhai Solanki, both landed at Pune from Bangkok on Air India Express Flight IX-241,' the Customs Department said in a statement. The accused possessed 14 green tree pythons (Morelia viridis), of which 13 were alive and one dead, four double-eyed fig parrots (Cyclopsitta diophthalma), and two Sumatran striped rabbits (Nesolagus netscheri) from their possession. The animals were hidden in the baggage of the passengers, said an officer. 'A case under The Customs Act, 1962, read with the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972, has been booked against them, and both the passengers are arrested. Further investigation is in progress,' the press statement said. Officials said that a probe has been launched to verify whether the passengers have any accomplices. Following the seizure, Mahadev Mohite, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Pune, has sought the assistance of Pune-based RESQ Charitable Trust for species verification, veterinary examination, and immediate triage of animals. RESQ team comprising veterinarians Dr Satvik Pathak and Dr Sushrut Shirbhate, along with Director Nachiket Utpat, wildlife technician Harshad Nagrare, and founder Neha Panchamiya, assisted the forest department. RESQ veterinarians are scheduled to revisit the animals for follow-up care and ensure stabilisation until deportation, officials said. Customs officials said that as the species were identified, the actions of the two arrested passengers were found to violate the CITES and Import rules, as import of live animals requires a Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Licence. Provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act say that when living specimens of a species listed are seized under the Customs Act as a result of illegal import into India, the specimens are returned to the country of origin. Therefore, on completion of the Customs procedures and formalities, all the live animals will be returned to the origin country for better survival of the animals. If it is not feasible, these animals may also be temporarily rehabilitated to any of the recognised zoos by the Central Zoo Authority, officials said.
The Print
17-07-2025
- The Print
Two held at Pune airport for bringing exotic wildlife species from Bangkok
Pune, Jul 16 (PTI) Two passengers have been arrested at the Pune International Airport for allegedly trying to smuggle exotic wildlife species into the country from Bangkok, officials said on Wednesday. Acting on specific intelligence, Pune Customs officers intercepted Zaheerabbas Aynal Mandal and Bhavesh Rameshbhai Solanki after they landed in the city on an Air India Express Flight on Monday.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Time of India
Customs seize exotic animals at Pune airport; two arrested
Pune: Two passengers were arrested on Tuesday by the customs at Pune airport, leading to seizure of exotic animals, including 14 green tree pythons, 4 double-eyed fig parrots and 2 Sumatran striped rabbits. The suspects, Zaheerabbas Anyal Mandal and Bhavesh Rameshbhai Solanki, arrived in Pune from Bangkok on an Air India Express flight around 6.30pm. The seizure was made based on specific intelligence reports. A customs official, while talking to TOI, said 13 of the 14 snakes found in the hand baggage of the passengers were alive, while one had died during the flight. "Both Mandal and Solanki will be presented before a judicial magistrate as investigation into the matter is ongoing. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, further details regarding the duo's whereabouts or the case cannot be disclosed at this time," the official said. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune "A case under the Customs Act, 1962, and Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 has been registered against the duo. Help from the forest and wildlife officials is being taken," the official said.
