Three held by Malakpet police for alleged deer hunting in Karnataka

Three Malakpet residents were arrested for allegedly hunting deer in Karnataka using a licensed sporting rifle. Police intercepted their vehicle in Hyderabad and seized the firearm, ammunition, night-vision equipment and mobile phones.

Hyderabad: Three persons were arrested by the Malakpet police for allegedly hunting deer in Karnataka using a licensed sporting rifle in violation of the licence conditions.

The arrested persons were identified as Syed Hussain (47), a steel factory worker, Syed Omer (49), who is into steel business, and Mohammed Hameed (40), a businessman. All three are residents of Teegalguda, Malakpet.

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According to the police, a team led by Sub-Inspector K. Sanjeeva Reddy intercepted a Mahindra Scorpio during a vehicle check near the race course in Malakpet on Monday. The police had received information that the occupants had allegedly hunted deer in the forest area of Chimmanchod village in Chincholi taluk of Kalaburagi district in Karnataka and were returning to Hyderabad.

A search of the vehicle led to the seizure of a .30-06 sporting rifle fitted with a HIKMICRO night-vision telescope, eight live rounds of ammunition, 12 used cartridges, another night-vision device, four mobile phones, a damaged Huawei foldable phone and a rechargeable battery. The Scorpio was also seized.

During questioning, the three allegedly admitted to visiting the forest for deer hunting and firing 12 rounds. Hussain allegedly fired six rounds, while Omer and Hameed fired three rounds each, the police said.

Hameed reportedly recorded videos of the alleged hunt on his mobile phone and later damaged the device in an attempt to destroy evidence, the police added.

The police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Arms Act, the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.