Two brothers arrested for allegedly killing cheetah in Madhya Pradesh
The Special Task Force recovered a licensed firearm used to shoot the male cheetah KNG-22 in the Kuno landscape.
The Special Task Force (STF) has arrested two brothers from Morena in connection with the death of a male cheetah, KNG-22, in Madhya Pradesh. According to reports from The Indian Express and The Hawk, the accused have been identified as Bhagwan Singh and his brother Preetam Singh.
The STF stated that Bhagwan Singh was arrested on October 31. During interrogation, he allegedly admitted that he and his brother were hunting near Nitanwas village in the Vijaypur area on October 24 when he shot the cheetah with a licensed double-barrel muzzle-loading gun.
Following Bhagwan Singh's statement, investigators with the help of Morena police took Preetam Singh into custody. The STF later recovered the firearm from a forest area under the Morena forest division after the men pointed out the location.
The investigation has so far found no evidence of involvement by an organised gang or illegal wildlife trade. A case has been registered against both brothers under Sections 9 and 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
The 19-month-old cheetah was found injured on October 25. Although five pellets were removed during surgery in Jabalpur, the animal died on October 27. The Chief Conservator of Forests, Gwalior, previously suspended four forest personnel for negligence regarding security and monitoring.
The two accused were produced before the Vijaypur court on Monday and sent to jail.