13 February,2026 12:05 PM IST | Narmadapuram | Ranjeet Jadhav
District court of Narmadapuram in MP convicts three accused in tiger poaching case. Representational image
The State Tiger Strike Force (STSF) of Madhya Pradesh (MP) has secured a major breakthrough in wildlife crime enforcement with the conviction of notorious international tiger poacher Adin Singh, alias Kalla Bawariya. Under the direction of MP Chief Minister, comprehensive efforts are being continuously made for forest and wildlife conservation in the state, the strike force said.
Based on intelligence input received from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, the strike force arrested notorious international tiger poacher and smuggler Adin Singh, alias Kalla Bawariya, from Gyaraspur (Vidisha) on August 18, 2023.
Recently, a local court sentenced him and the other two accused to four years of rigorous imprisonment.
Singh had been on the radar of enforcement agencies across multiple states and neighbouring Nepal for several years.
Investigations revealed that a case related to tiger hunting and smuggling of tiger parts was registered against him in Nepal in 2012.
Another case involving the illegal trade of tiger parts was lodged in Maharashtra in 2013. Authorities, including the forest department, police from various states, and Nepal's Central Investigation Bureau, had been on his lookout.
Following his arrest, Singh was handed over to the forest department of Akola (Maharashtra) on a production warrant.
During further investigation, STSF also arrested Pujari Singh from Hoshiarpur, Punjab, identified as a key link in the network, as well as Riddick Teropi from Assam, alleged to be involved in tiger parts smuggling.
On Wednesday, the court of chief judicial magistrate in Narmadapuram, Madhya Pradesh, held all the three accused guilty. The court awarded each of them four years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 25,000.
Officers said that the MP Forest Department will approach the Central government to initiate steps for handing over Singh to Nepal to face the pending cases there.
The authorities believe that coordinated action across states and countries is essential to dismantle the broader network of tiger poaching and illegal wildlife trade operating across South Asia.
The conviction is being viewed as a significant step in ongoing efforts to strengthen wildlife protection and curb organised poaching activities.
