November 3, 2009 3:27:47 am
After the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) report confirming the skin displayed at a Sreeleathers showroom in Kolkata was one of a blackbuck,the West Bengal Forest department has started looking into the nexus of poached skins in the city.
According to senior Forest officials,a group operating in the Rajabazar area in north Kolkata is into supplying deer skins and antelopes to several leather-goods outlets here. Officials during interrogation reportedly found that Sreeleathers procured the skin from a supplier in Rajabazar.
We are pursuing the case seriously. We are looking into the racket. Initially,the company officials told us the skin was that of a cow. The forensic report confirmed it to be a blackbuck skin,possession and procurement of which are banned under the Wildlife Protection Act, said Soumitro Dasgupta,Special Chief Conservator of Forest.
Dasgupta further added that poached skins are sold at prices as high as Rs 10,000.
Sreeleathers spokesperson denied commenting on the issue saying the matter was sub-judice.
Sreeleathers General Manager S Chatterjee,who was arrested on Friday,will be produced before a court here on Tuesday. Satyabrata Dey,partner in the footwear major,was granted anticipatory bail.
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