Five caught with rare snakes

According to the police,the group was in the business of catching snakes from forests and selling them to tantriks. They were also allegedly selling the snake venom,which is used to make intoxicants like heroin and smack. All have been booked under the Wild Life Act,a non-bailable offence.

The group of five — Baljit Singh,the leader,Harcharan Singh Sunny,Gurpreet Singh,Hardeep Singh and Jagjit Singh — were travelling in a Scorpio,which was intercepted by Gopal Krishan,the chowki in-charge of Moti Nagar,during a routine checking near Vardhman factory on the Chandigarh Road. “We found a box with two snakes that had mouth on both sides. We immediately informed the wild life department and their inspector came and took the group and the snakes with them,h said Krishan.

Jagjit Singh,one of the five arrested men,is reportedly a registered medical practitioner.

Wild Life Inspector Balwinder Singh said: “The venom is usually exported and it is very costly,but this group said they used to sell it for a few thousands only to tantriks. We are investigating the matter. It is an offence to keep a wildlife species without permission and hence action will be taken against them.”

The snakes will be released in the forest after taking permission from court.

Curated For You

India U19 vs South Africa U19, 1st ODI Highlights: IND U19 beat SA U19 by 25 runs (DLS method) in Benoni

Dhurandhar Box Office Collection Worldwide Day 29 Update: Ranveer Singh-starrer drops to single digit but dominates Ikkis, surges past Rs 754 cr

US attacks Venezuela: Why Trump’s troops ‘captured’ President Nicolas Maduro | What we know so far