3 arrested for possessing rare tortoises

The city police arrested three persons and seized two rare species of tortoise.

Faraskhana police station officials said that after a tip-off on Tuesday ,a police team led by Sharmila Sutar recovered two tortoises from the possession of Mahesh Nandlal Daima,a resident of Kakde Vasti. His arrest later led to the arrest of two more persons – Abhishek Jamunalal Malpani,a resident of Shukrawar Peth and Vijay Sureshkumar Bansal of Raviwar Peth,from whom Daima hasd allegedly bought the tortoises.

The tortoises were kept in a plastic tub at Daimas residence.

Police investigations revealed that the tortoises belong to the flapshelled species,which is rare. It is valued at more than Rs. one lakh at the international market. As keeping the tortoise in the house is considered auspicious under feng shui,it is bought at high prices by many. The accused were on a hunt for a customer for selling these tortoises.

When the police questioned Daima said that he procured the tortoises from one The police later arrested the trio and registered them.

Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories