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.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Four more arrested in brigadier assault case in Delhi
New Delhi (PTI): Four more accused have been arrested in connection with the alleged assault on an Army brigadier, his son and threatening his wife in southwest Delhi's Vasant Enclave area, police said on Friday.
The accused have been identified as Surjit Singh (36), Sunil Sharma (53) and Ashish (32), all from Mehram Nagar in Delhi, and Satender (35) of Bhiwani in Haryana, police said.
According to police, Surjit Singh was known to the main accused Satender, a director of an aviation company. All of them were sitting together in Mehram Nagar when Satender called them regarding a quarrel in Vasant Enclave.
"Following the call, all four left for the spot in Surjit's white Hyundai Aura. After reaching there, they got involved in the altercation and assault before returning to their respective homes," a senior police officer said.
After learning about the registration of the case, the accused fled and went into hiding, he said.
"Teams were constituted to trace them and all four absconding accused were arrested," he said.
The Hyundai Aura used in the incident has also been recovered, police said.
Further investigation into the case is underway. The role of each accused is being examined, they said.
According to the investigators, the incident took place on the night of April 11, when the brigadier and his son objected to the two men allegedly consuming alcohol inside a car parked outside their residence. Soon, others reached the spot and allegedly assaulted the officer and his son, besides abusing and threatening his wife.
