Latest news with #INTUCYoungWorkersCouncil
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Complainant seeks confiscation of suspected leopard tooth jewellery worn by Union Minister Suresh Gopi
The suspected leopard tooth pendant, which Union Minister and actor Suresh Gopi was recently found sporting in a chain, shall be confiscated and a scientific analysis carried out, the complainant in the case has sought. The complainant, A. A. Muhammad Hashim, an office-bearer of the INTUC Young Workers Council, raised the demand while giving his statement to forest officials on Monday (July 21, 2025) . The Pattikkad Range Forest Officer had summoned Mr. Hashim, who had approached the Divisional Forest Officers of Thrissur and Kannur with the complaint, on the day to record his statements. Mr. Hashim also raised the demand for ascertaining the period of the making of the ornament worn by Mr. Gopi, apprehending that the ornament could be 'manipulated.' Media links of the visuals aired by TV channels in which the actor was seen wearing the suspected ornament were handed over to the officials. The complainant also demanded that the original visuals be obtained from the TV channels to check the veracity of the complaint. In his complaint, Mr. Hashim had stated that he had seen TV visuals of Mr. Gopi wearing the ornament at two functions, one in Thrissur and another in Kannur. Prompted by Vedan incident Mr. Hashim said he decided to take up the case following social media discussions that ensued after the arrest of popular rapper Vedan (Hirandas Murali) for wearing a suspected leopard-tooth-studded pendant. The Forest department acted against the singer after being alerted by police, which arrested him for possessing ganja. The investigation in the case was progressing, according to forest officials. Possession of a wildlife trophy, which includes cured and uncured animal parts, is an offence under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Those found guilty can get a jail term of up to seven years and a fine or both.
The Hindu
11-07-2025
- The Hindu
Forest department begins probe on complaint against Suresh Gopi
The Kerala Forest department has launched an investigation into the allegations that Union Minister and film actor Suresh Gopi was seen wearing a pendant suspected to be made of leopard tooth. The Pattikkad Range Forest Officer has issued a notice to the complainant A.A. Muhammad Hashim, an office-bearer of the INTUC Young Workers Council, to appear before him on July 21 at 10.30 a.m. for recording his statement. In his complaint to the Divisional Forest Officer, Thrissur, last month, Mr. Hashim had stated that Mr. Gopi was seen sporting a pendant in a chain while attending two public functions in Thrissur and Kannur. The complainant had also produced news video clips of the actor walking on a public road wearing the chain with the pendant in which had a suspected leopard tooth fixed. The notice was issued under Section 50 (7) of the Wildlife Protection Act, which states that forest officials shall help persons who approach them seeking assistance to prevent an offence against the Act. The Act also notes that the officer is also duty-bound to assist such persons to apprehend those charged with the violation of the Act or for seizure. Witnesses, proof The complainant has been asked to appear before the investigation officer to share details of the complaint. He was also asked to produce witnesses and evidence to substantiate his complaint, which would help the forest official in the investigation. The official has also cautioned that it will be presumed that the complainant has nothing to communicate to the department in the case in the event of him not turning up before the investigation officer on the prescribed date. Actor to be summoned The investigation officer will summon Mr. Gopi to record his statement after recording the statement of the complainant. The future course of action will be decided after evaluating the statements of the complainant, according to Forest department sources. The Act prohibits the possession of wildlife trophy other than those with certificates of ownership. Acquiring, receiving, keeping in control, custody or possession of any captive animal, animal article, trophy or uncured trophy specified in Schedule I or Part II of Schedule II, except by way of inheritance, is an offence. Offences related to wild 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 a fine, he pointed out.
