Additional District Judge, Gadchiroli, on Tuesday rejected the bail application filed by the lawyer of Mishram Jakhar, the mastermind of the inter-state tiger poaching case. The final hearing in the bail case is set to be held on August 10. Jakhar, the 81-year-old kingpin of a major syndicate involved in the illegal trade of tiger skin and parts, was arrested from his residence in Dwarka in New Delhi on July 31. The joint team of police and Forest Department also seized a cash of Rs 14.80 lakh from Jakhar’s residence during his arrest. Initially, the accused was granted transit bail by the Delhi Metropolitan Court asking him to produce himself before the Gadchiroli court by August 3. Mishram Jakhar, however did not follow the orders and filed an application before the Gadchiroli court seeking bail. He is presently hospitalised due to illness.

 

Jakhar pretended innocence and also tried to gain some sympathy for his old age to get the bail. However, the court, after examining the evidences, found that he is involved in the crime of tiger poaching. Finally, considering the seriousness of the matter, the court denied anticipatory bail to him. As many as 13 accused were arrested by the Gadchiroli forest team near village Ambeshioni on June 28 and skin and bones of tiger were seized. During the course of investigation, the connection of Jakhar in this very sensitive case came to fore that led to his arrest. An offence under various sections of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 was registered against him. The eyes are now set on the court’s decision on the next date which is on August 10.