For the 1st first time in India’s history of wildlife crime, all accused — 37 in this case, dating to 2007 — have been punished
In a landmark verdict, 17 accused in the lion poaching case of 2007 — involving 20 others who have already been indicted — were sentenced to five years’ imprisonment by a chief judicial magistrate of Bhavnagar, on Thursday.
The magistrate, AI Sheikh, also imposed a penalty of Rs2,000 on each accused. This marks the conclusion of all cases relating to the poaching of Asiatic lions at the Gir wildlife sanctuary.