With the arrest of international golfer Jyoti Randhawa from Uttar Pradesh allegedly under the charges of poaching, once again the controversy surrounding Tigress T 1 (Avni) is back in the limelight. NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad, who had earlier raised question over the involvement of a private shooter and the golfer in the T1 operation, has demanded that the concerned department should take strict action against Randhawa.

Randhawa was arrested on Wednesday on charges of poaching in the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve's protected area in Uttar Pradesh, an official said. Equipment used for hunting, a point 22 bore rifle and a deer hide were seized from him, field officer Ramesh Pandey said. The officer said a luxury vehicle was also seized. Another person, identified as Mahesh Virajdar, was arrested along with Randhawa near the Motipur range of Katarniaghat in the reserve. Interrogation and legal action against Randhawa are being initiated by the Katarniaghat divisional forest officer, he said.