H.D. Kote: The Forest Department officials have arrested a man from Maharashtra on charges of selling wild animal parts and have seized parts of Indian Monitor Lizard and Peafowl from him.

The arrested is Bachpan Singh Hira Singh Chithodia Takur. He was arrested near the Fire Brigade Station on the Main Road leading to H.D. Kote Handpost.

It is learnt that Bachpan Singh had set up a tent selling native medicines near the Handpost since about five months and was selling trophies made from the body parts of Indian Monitor Lizard and Indian Peafowl.

Following a tip off and guidance from Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) and Bandipur Tiger Reserve Director, the Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF), along with Special Tiger Task Force personnel, conducted an operation, arrested the accused and handed him over to Judicial Custody.

Special Tiger Task Force personnel Naveen Kumar and Ashok Chikkagade, Deputy Range Forest Officers (DRFOs) Suresh Poojari, Hanumanthu, Rajeev, Shivanagowda and Ramanjaneyalu, Forest Patrol Guards Umesh, Nagendra Bola and B.C. Kaala and staff Sampath Kumar, took part in the operation.