3,350 turtles, exotic animals seized at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport
Bengaluru: Authorities at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) recently seized a large consignment of exotic animals, including around 3,350 red-eared slider turtles, 22 baby blue iguanas, and two African spurred tortoises.
Two individuals, identified as Balasubramanian Shanmugam and Vijayaraghavan Dhanapal, arrived from Thailand on a Thai Airways flight on Saturday, while a third suspect, Arunkumar Narayanaswamy, travelled on the same flight the following day. None of the three had the required documentation to transport exotic wildlife into India, as reported by Deccan Herald on Tuesday.
The seized animals were subsequently deported to their countries of origin, namely Malaysia and Thailand.
"Over the past couple of months, instances of wildlife smuggling have alarmingly increased at the Bengaluru airport, while they have reduced at the Chennai airport. It is mostly baby animals that are being smuggled. Mild sedatives are being used on these exotic animals to ensure smooth travel," DH quoted an official at the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau as saying.
Red-eared slider turtles, in particular, have emerged as one of the most frequently smuggled species, coming in from Malaysia to India. Under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the species is classified under Schedule IV, making it illegal to possess, trade, or transport without permit.
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ED arrests ex-Rajasthan MLA in money laundering case
Jaipur (PTI): The Enforcement Directorate has arrested former Rajasthan MLA Baljit Yadav on money laundering charges linked to an alleged funds embezzlement case, official sources said on Wednesday.
The former independent legislator from the Behror assembly seat was taken into custody under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on Tuesday, they said.
The case is related to alleged embezzlement of MLA funds in the guise of supply of sports equipment to schools, according to ED officials.
The federal agency had conducted searches against Yadav in January last year.
