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NRI from US arrested for ‘hunting’ wild boar, a Schedule II list animal, ‘possessing’ meat, lab test to confirm species: Officials

As per Ghuman’s bail application, “The laboratory report to confirm the seized meat as of a wild pig is yet to be received. I am innocent"

3 min readChandigarhOct 25, 2025 04:11 AM IST

The department seized five air guns and 11 nets from the accused person's residence in Sector 35, Chandigarh, Forest and Wildlife Department sources said

A 45-year-old Non-Resident Indian (NRI) from the US has been arrested by the Forest and Wildlife Department of Chandigarh, under the Wildlife (Protection Act), 1972, for allegedly “hunting” a wild boar, a Schedule-II List animal, and “possessing” its meat.

Officials said the seized meat was sent to a lab in Dehradun for a DNA test to ascertain the animal’s species.

The department seized five air guns and 11 nets from the accused person’s residence in Sector 35, Chandigarh, Forest and Wildlife Department sources said.

Animals on the Schedule II list in the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, are provided with high protection, with their trade prohibited. They cannot be hunted except in specific cases, like a threat to human life or an incurable disease.

Meanwhile, the accused, Jaspreet Singh Ghuman, lodged at the Model jail in Burail after being sent to judicial custody, has filed a bail application before a Chandigarh district court, which will be heard on October 27.

Department sources said upon receiving a complaint from an informer that a Sector 35 resident was involved in hunting an animal included in the Schedule List of the Wildlife Act, a team of the department, along with teams of the Chandigarh Police, the Health Department and the veterinary, conducted a search operation at the accused person’s house, and seized the meat, suspectedly of wild boar, air guns, pellets and nets.

Accused Ghuman was taken into custody and produced before a Chandigarh court, which sent him to judicial custody, sources said, adding that a case was registered under sections 9, 39, 40, 48-A, 49-B, 50, 51, and 57 of the Wildlife (Protection Act) 1972 based on the complaint of the Range Forest Officer of Chandigarh.

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According to his bail application, Ghuman submitted, “I am an NRI from the US, and came to India 14 days ago. Before I arrived in India, the house was used by students and PG. The alleged recovery does not belong to me, as I never indulged in any kind of hunting. Moreover, the FIR only speaks about the suspected possession of meat of the Schedule-II wild pig and weapons from the house in Sector 35, Chandigarh.”

As per Ghuman’s bail application, “The laboratory report to confirm the seized meat as of a wild pig is yet to be received. I am innocent. I have not committed any offence and have falsely been implicated in the matter by the forest officer. There is no document or evidence to show that I was ever indulged in any kind of hunting…and the entire story by the forest officer is fabricated and false.”

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More

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