Tiger Strike Force busts interstate racket that ferried blackbuck and sambar meat from Madhya Pradesh forests to Mumbai’s elite through WhatsApp and Telegram
Illustration/Uday Mohite
A high -profile wildlife crime trail has led investigators from the forests of Madhya Pradesh to the upscale neighbourhoods of Mumbai. The State Tiger Strike Force (STSF) has unearthed an alleged poaching and bushmeat racket in which protected species such as blackbuck, chinkara, and sambar were hunted in Indore and their meat transported across state lines.
(From left) Johar Husain Mukri , Imtiyaz Shakeel Khan and Salman Haroon Piyarji with the State Tiger Strike Force (STSF) of the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department. Pics/MP Forest Department
Officials say the network used encrypted apps like WhatsApp and Telegram to sell the meat to influential clients in Mumbai — and possibly abroad. The probe, backed by disturbing videos showing the slaughter of wild animals, has already resulted in four arrests, including one from Andheri’s Millat Nagar. Investigators are now tracing the buyers and the larger interstate network behind the trade.
December 3, 2024 — Kishanganj, Indore
During a routine nakabandi, local police made a shocking discovery when they opened the boot of a Mumbai-registered SUV car — bags filled with 65 kg of bushmeat, a country-made pistol, and live cartridges spilled out.
The Arrests
The vehicle’s occupants, identified as Imtiyaz, Shakeel Khan (the main accused), Johar Husain Mukri, and Salman Haroon Piyarji, all from Mumbai, were taken into custody for their alleged involvement in the wildlife crime. They allegedly hunted blackbuck, chinkara, and sambar in the forests of Madhya Pradesh.
The Wildlife Crime
During investigation STSF recovers disturbing videos of poachers slaughtering wild animals. Visuals show chopped meat packed in plastic bags.
Digital Evidence & Bigger Network
Digital evidence bring shocking facts and hint towards a bigger chain involved.
The Expanding Investigation
A video recovered from an accused’s phone shows a person running toward a freshly shot animal, naming several others — including Anas, Prasanjeet, Shabuddin bhai, Sarfaraz Lala, Rameez, Usman bhai, Ashgar, Saba, Abdullah, Andy, Zaid, Pappu, Asif, and Umair (Bhiwandi) — now under the STSF’s scanner for alleged links to the wildlife crime.
The Expanding Investigation
October 27, 2025 — Acting on fresh leads, the STSF arrested another accused, Saba Antule, from Millat Nagar, Andheri West, further widening the scope of the probe
The Suspected Network
Investigators suspect a wider interstate racket involved in smuggling bushmeat, animal skins, and other wildlife products.
The Official Action
The STSF Indore Unit is conducting further investigations, and more arrests are likely, including that of a trainer who allegedly provided weapon training to the accused.
The Larger Question
Investigators are probing whether the accused are part of a larger syndicate or have links to international networks involved in the illegal trade and supply of wildlife body parts.
‘Where Does The Bushmeat And Wildlife Parts End Up?”
Was meat from endangered species being served to elite customers — possibly even beyond India’s borders?
Action Promised
STSF vows to trace every link in the illegal bushmeat chain.
65 kg
Quantity of bushmeat found in boot of a Mumbai-registered SUV car in 2024 in Indore.
The Madhya Pradesh Forest Department’s State Tiger Strike Force (STSF) probing a poaching case involving blackbuck, chinkara, and sambar killings in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, now suspects the meat was being supplied to high-end buyers in Mumbai.
Acting on leads, the STSF last month arrested another accused from Millat Nagar, Andheri West. Officials believe the accused may be part of a larger interstate network dealing in bushmeat and wildlife products.
Chinkara, Chital, Blackbuck and Sambar
Dec 3, 2024
3 Mumbai men arrested in Indore with bushmeat
Mar 20, 2025
Case transferred to STSF Indore Unit
Imtiyaz Shakeel Khan with blackbuck kill
Aug 21, 2025
Preliminary Offence Report registered in the case
Oct 27, 2025
One more accused arrested from Mumbai
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