Four arrested for attempting to sell leopard skin and claws in Kothagudem

Police arrested four persons, including three tribals from Andhra Pradesh, for allegedly attempting to sell leopard hide and claws in Kothagudem. The accused reportedly killed the leopard after it fell into a pit. Police seized the dried skin and 17 claws.

Kothagudem: Burgampad and task force police have arrested four persons, including three tribals from Andhra Pradesh, for attempting to illegally sell leopard hide and claws in the district.

Speaking to the media, Superintendent of Police B Rohith Raju informed that a police team led by Burgampad SI E Naga Biksham and task force personnel, acting on a tip-off, took four suspects into custody at Tallagommuru village of Burgampad mandal on Monday.

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During interrogation, three of the accused confessed to having killed a leopard last summer in a forest area near Gammalakota village of Chintoor mandal in Andhra Pradesh, when the animal had fallen into a pit and was unable to escape. They removed the hide and claws, dried and preserved them.

Later, while attempting to sell the leopard hide and claws, they came in contact with a resident of Sarapaka, Challa Anil Kumar, who offered to assist with the sale by contacting potential buyers. The three accused brought the hide and claws to hand over to Anil Kumar at his residence.

Along with Anil Kumar, the accused Kunja Bhadraiah, Kunja Gangaraju and Madavi Kannaiah, all residents of Gammalakota village of Chintoor mandal in Polavaram district, were arrested. Dried skin of the leopard along with 17 claws was seized, the SP said.

Paloncha DSP R Satish Kumar, SB Inspector Srinivas, Paloncha CI Satish, task force CI Ramakanth, SIs Naga Biksham, Praveen and Suman were present.