Report sought on complaints against RESQ Trust in Pune over ‘violations’ of Wildlife Act
In a complaint addressed to PCCF Srinivasa Reddy (IFS), Pune-based animal welfare activist Dr Avadhut Arun Patki sought immediate registration of offences against the trust, which runs the Pune Transit Treatment Centre (TTC).
4 min readNagpurUpdated: Dec 25, 2025 11:42 AM IST
In a complaint addressed to PCCF Srinivasa Reddy (IFS), Pune-based animal welfare activist Dr Avadhut Arun Patki sought immediate registration of offences against the trust, which runs the Pune Transit Treatment Centre (TTC). (File Photo)
The Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Maharashtra State Forest Department in Nagpur has sought a formal report from the Chief Conservator of Forests (CF), Pune, on the investigation into complaints against Pune-based RESQ Charitable Trust alleging “violations” during wildlife rescue and treatment.
In a complaint addressed to PCCF Srinivasa Reddy (IFS), Pune-based animal welfare activist Dr Avadhut Arun Patki sought immediate registration of offences against the trust, which runs the Pune Transit Treatment Centre (TTC).
The complaint alleges serious violations of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, immigration laws, veterinary regulations, the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 (FCRA), and Home Department regulations.
Talking to The Indian Express, Dr Bharat Singh Hada (IFS) Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) for Nagpur at the PCCF office and Member Secretary of the Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board said, “We have written to the CF (territorial) concerned in Pune, to verify facts and submit the report to the PCCF office. The report’s copy will also be provided to the complainant. The report has to be submitted in seven days.”
Conservator of Forests (CF), territorial Ashish S.Thakare, told The Indian Express that he is yet to receive a formal notice from his seniors about the same, and once he does, it would be passed on to the deputy conservator of forests (DCF), seeking details.
Dr Patki alleged that RESQ Charitable Trust has been involved in “continuing and grave statutory violations” during wildlife rescue, treatment and transit operations, and demanded immediate criminal investigation without delay. Pune’s Transit Treatment Centre (TTC) is run by RESQ Trust, even if it falls under the jurisdiction of state Forest Department. TTC is a place where, injured and rescued wildlife is treated and released back into the forest.
In his complaint, Dr Patki stated that publicly available material, organisational disclosures and consistent information indicate that RESQ has engaged foreign nationals as “interns’” “volunteers” or “students’” granting them direct access to wildlife rescue sites, treatment and transit centres, forest areas and rescued animals. He alleged that these individuals were allowed to handle, restrain, treat and transport wildlife, including scheduled species, without mandatory statutory approvals from competent authorities.
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“These acts are institutional, repeated and ongoing,” Dr Patki wrote, adding that the complaint was supported by documentary and digital evidence sourced from the trust’s official social media accounts, including publicly posted images and videos.
The complainant further alleged that foreign nationals involved had entered India on tourist or other inappropriate visa categories while engaging in prohibited work and volunteering activities, amounting to offences under the Foreigners Act, 1946, the Passport Act, 1967 and the Ministry of Home Affairs’ visa guidelines. He claimed no approval existed from the Ministry of Home Affairs for foreign involvement in wildlife or forest areas.
Dr Patki also alleged that foreign veterinarians or veterinary students assisted or participated in treatment at the centre without temporary registration under the Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984, amounting to illegal veterinary practice and professional misconduct.
Talking to The Indian Express, Dr Patki said, “The PCCF office has forwarded the matter to the CF office in Pune. Everything is happening in full view of the authorities here in Pune, yet no necessary action is being taken. I possess sufficient evidence against the centre authorities and will approach the court in the coming days over the alleged improper handling of wildlife.”
Ankita Deshkar is a Deputy Copy Editor and a dedicated fact-checker at The Indian Express. Based in Maharashtra, she specializes in bridging the gap between technical complexity and public understanding. With a deep focus on Cyber Law, Information Technology, and Public Safety, she leads "The Safe Side" series, where she deconstructs emerging digital threats and financial scams. Ankita is also a certified trainer for the Google News Initiative (GNI) India Training Network, specializing in online verification and the fight against misinformation. She is also an AI trainer with ADiRA (AI for Digital Readiness and Advancement)
Professional Background & Expertise
Role: Fact-checker & Deputy Copy Editor, The Indian Express
Experience: Started working in 2016
Ankita brings a unique multidisciplinary background to her journalism, combining engineering logic with mass communication expertise. Her work often intersects regional governance, wildlife conservation, and digital rights, making her a leading voice on issues affecting Central India, particularly the Vidarbha region.
Key focus areas include:
Fact-Checking & Verification: As a GNI-certified trainer, she conducts workshops on debunking deepfakes, verifying viral claims, and using OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) tools.
Cyber Law & IT: With postgraduate specialization in Cyber Law, she decodes the legalities of data privacy, digital fraud, and the evolving landscape of intellectual property rights.
Public Safety & Health: Through her "The Safe Side" column, she provides actionable intelligence on avoiding "juice jacking," "e-SIM scams," and digital extortion.
Regional Reporting: She provides on-ground coverage of high-stakes issues in Maharashtra, from Maoist surrenders in Gadchiroli to critical healthcare updates and wildlife-human conflict in Nagpur.
Education & Credentials
Ankita is currently pursuing her PhD in Mass Communication and Journalism, focusing on the non-verbal communication through Indian classical dance forms. Her academic foundation includes:
MA in Mass Communication (RTM Nagpur University)
Bachelors in Electrical Engineering (RTM Nagpur University)
Post Graduate Diploma (PGTD) in Cyber Law and Information Technology
Specialization in Intellectual Property Rights
Recent Notable Coverage
Ankita’s reportage is recognized for its investigative depth and emphasis on accountability:
Cyber Security: "Lost money to a scam? Act within the 'golden hour' or risk losing it all" — A deep dive into the critical window for freezing fraudulent transactions.
Public Health: "From deep coma to recovery: First fully recovered Coldrif patient discharged" — Investigating the aftermath of pharmaceutical toxins and the healthcare response.
Governance & Conflict: "Gadchiroli now looks like any normal city: SP Neelotpal" — An analysis of the socio-political shift in Maoist-affected regions.
Signature Beat
Ankita is best known for her ability to translate "technical jargon into human stories." Whether she is explaining how AI tools like MahaCrimeOS assist the police or exposing the dire conditions of wildlife transit centres, her writing serves as a bridge between specialized knowledge and everyday safety.
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X (Twitter): @ankita_deshkar
Email: ankita.deshkar@indianexpress.com
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