Pune: Man arrested for illegal possession of sand boa worth Rs 15 lakh

Sand boas are considered “lucky” because of superstitions that these snakes have supernatural powers and possessing them can make a person rich, destroy the enemies, find hidden wealth, and much more.

Sand boa (Eryx Johnii), commonly known as Mandul, is a non-venomous snake protected under Schedule IV of the Wild Life Protection Act 1972 (Wikimedia Commons)

Pimpri-Chinchwad Police have arrested a 21-year-old man for alleged illegal possession of a sand boa snake. The accused, Yogesh Mhetre, was nabbed in Indrayani Nagar area in Bhosari around 7.30 pm on Tuesday, said police. During searches, police recovered a sand boa, estimated to cost Rs 15 lakh, from his possession.

Mehtre has been booked under sections of the Wild Life Protection Act 1972. Investigation is on to know from where he procured the sand boa and to whom he was planning to sell it.

Police said that sand boa or Eryx Johnii, commonly known as Mandul, is a non- venomous snake protected under Schedule IV of the Wild Life Protection Act 1972, and trading of such snakes is illegal.

Story continues below this ad

Sand boas are considered ‘lucky’ as it is believed that these snakes have supernatural powers and possessing them can make a person rich and destroy his enemies.

2 food delivery boys among 3 arrested for robbing elderly women

Three persons, including delivery boys of two online food delivery platforms, have been arrested for allegedly robbing elderly women in residential societies and on public roads.

Police have identified the accused as Akash Jadhav (23), Vijay Posa (22) and Sahil Gaikwad (22).

They were arrested after police probed an incident that took place on June 16, when two persons snatched the gold chain
of a 60-year-old woman at Nirmal Township in Hadapsar.

Story continues below this ad

While checking CCTV footage, police found the three suspects following the complainant. Police also found the bag of a food delivery company on the vehicle used by the suspects. Acting on a tip-off, a police team laid a trap in Shevalwadi area and nabbed the three accused on Monday.

Police said Jadhav and Posa worked as delivery boys for two online food delivery platforms while Sahil was a housekeeper. They had allegedly snatched the chain of the elderly woman at Nirmal Township on June 16. They had committed a similar crime on June 19 in Chandan Nagar area, said police.

– Stay updated with the latest Pune news. Follow Express Pune on Twitter here and on Facebook here. You can also join our Express Pune Telegram channel here.