Leopard poaching probe uncovers skinning, body part extraction

Proof and The Bigger Nexus: Grim phone evidence, snares, and shadowy buyers hint at a sprawling wildlife crime syndicate. illustrations/Uday Mohite

Investigators in the leopard poaching case have uncovered fresh details after taking the arrested accused to the crime scene where the animal was allegedly skinned.

The Silence Breaks: The accused persons finally crack under interrogation, exposing a sinister trail inside Yeoor, SGNP.

According to officials, the accused have confessed to extracting teeth and other body parts from two more leopards in the Yeoor Range of SGNP.

More Than One Kill: Shocking confession - body parts, including teeth, removed from two more leopards in the same forest range.

The officials also found photo and video evidence from the mobile phones of the accused of leopard teeth.

Walk to Horror: Accused lead officials deep into the jungle, pointing out sites where carcasses were skinned and stripped.

Officials are now probing whether the group was involved in more such killings and are tracing the possible trade network and buyers.

The rosette pattern on L-30's skin, which helped authorities identify the leopard

The accused have, however, denied killing the leopard. One of the accused had previously worked as a fire watcher in SGNP. A total of six accused have been arrested in connection with the case.

Accused Vishal Varthe (in white) and Mayur Mhatre (in black) were first arrested during the probe. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Accused taken to spot

Sources said that during sustained interrogation and multiple spot visits, the six accused were taken into the forest to recreate the crime scene. While examining their mobile phones, investigators found photographs of leopard teeth. Upon further interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to removing teeth and other body parts from two more leopard carcasses in the Yeoor range.

Arrested accused Anil Dhavde (left) and Harshad Chandar (right)

Official Speak

A forest department official said, "We spent nearly 7 to 8 hours in the forest. The accused showed us the exact spot where the leopard was skinned and also led us to two other locations where they had removed body parts."

Arrested accused Dinish Pagora (left) and Santosh Ghoshe (right)

March 29
Day two main accused were arrested