Skin, skull of leopard recovered from general store

SHAHDOL (MP): Hide and skull of a leopard were recovered from a general store by forest officials at village Budhar near here, officials said.

Bandhavgarh National Park Director C K Patil and South Forest Division Forest Conservator Mudika Singh along with forest staff raided Ram S Malani's general store following a tip off and recovered leopard's body parts.

"We have recovered hide and skull of a leopard stuffed in a box from Malani's general store," Patil told reporters.

He said that Malani had been arrested and booked under sections 39 and 51 of Wildlife Protection Act, adding that investigations were on.

"If needed more sections will be imposed on Malani," Patil said.

After the raid, a large number of businessmen assembled and protested demanding Malani's release, officials said. However, the situation was brought under control after Superintendent of Police Lakhanlal Ahirwar rushed to the spot and called extra police force, they said.

Forest officials have handed over accused to the police.