Pramesh S Jain
Officials of the Forest Department and the Kamakshipalya police have uncovered the illegal possession of pythons at an apartment in west Bengaluru,following a joint operation triggered by complaints from local residents.
According to officials,residents of the apartment had noticed suspicious activities and frequent visits by unknown persons to one of the flats over the past few days, raising concerns about illegal activities.They alerted the Forest Department,which conducted a raid on the premises.
During the search,officials allegedly found pythons being kept inside the apartment without the mandatory permissions under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
The reptiles were reportedly concealed inside ordinary cardboard boxes in unsafe conditions within the residential flat.
Forest officials immediately informed the Kamakshipalya police,who joined the operation and detained the occupant of the flat for questioning.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the occupant is a native of Andhra Pradesh.A case has been registered at the Kamakshipalya Police Station under relevant provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act and other applicable laws.
Officials are now investigating whether the accused is linked to an organised wildlife trafficking network, where the pythons were sourced from,and for what purpose they were being kept inside the apartment.
The rescued reptiles have been taken into the custody of the Forest Department,while further investigation is underway.
