CBI invokes MCOCA against Sansar Chand, first in wildlife cases

CBI filed a chargesheet against wildlife smuggler Sansar Chand and his four associates under Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) — used for the first time in wildlife cases — and Wildlife Protection Act for poaching of tigers in the Sariska tiger reserve.

The chargesheet was filed on December 23. The court has posted the matter later this month for taking cognizance of the chargesheet. While under the Wildlife Protection Act (1972), maximum punishment for poaching doesn’t exceed seven years, if convicted under MCOCA, the accused could be imprisoned for life.

Meanwhile, the SC today wanted the Madhya Pradesh government to hand over all wildlife cases related to Panna tiger reserve to the CBI. The Environment Ministry has already decided to ask CBI to investigate the poaching cases related to Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve.