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Deer Minister: Former minister of state for tribal development Dharmarao Baba Atram speaking to reporters at the forest office in Bhor before recording his statement. PIC/Imran Attar

FORMER minister of state for tribal development Dharmarao Baba Atram could never have imagined in his wildest dreams that the Chinkara, which he allegedly hunted, would one day return to hunt for his reputation, peace and political career.

Atram, who had to unceremoniously resign from the cabinet following a political outcry, spent nearly four hours in the sub-divisional forest office at Bhor yesterday where his statements were recorded by forest officer H G Dhumal.

Accused of killing Chinkara, Atram surrendered before the forest officer after the Bombay High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea in the poaching case.

Forest officer partly satisfied with statement

The court, however, gave him time to surrender.

With the forest officials tightening their noose around him, Atram came to the forest office with a large number of supporters ostensibly to show what could happen in case he was arrested.

Clad in an orange kurta and white pyjama, the minister got down from his car and walked straight into Dhumal's cabin.

Heavy security was deployed outside the office to prevent any untoward incident in case Atram was arrested. A television reporter came under fire from Atram's supporters who objected to one of his earlier reports against the minister. However, the police whisked away the reporter.

'I am innocent'

Atram was grilled by the forest department officials from 2.30 pm to 6.30 pm. Earlier, Atram said, "I am innocent. I have full faith in the judiciary. I am here to give my statement."

When Dhumal was asked whether he was satisfied with Atram's statement he said, "I am partly satisfied."

However, Dhumal refused to answer why the minister was not arrested. Atram, who belongs to NCP, had resigned as a minister after the poaching case came to light in June.

He claimed he wanted to ensure an impartial probe into the case. If convicted, the politician may face a jail term between three and seven years under the Wildlife Protection Act.