Surat: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Monday detained two individuals after seizing a leopard skin that was allegedly being offered for sale from a hotel near Surat Railway Station.

According to officials, the suspects were allegedly seeking over Rs 50 lakh for the protected wildlife article. The accused were identified as Moini Hunaid (46) and Badri Sabbir (47), both residents of the Zampa Bazaar locality in Surat.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, DRI officials conducted a raid at Hotel Alankar near the railway station and recovered the leopard skin from a room occupied by one of the accused. During preliminary questioning, investigators were informed that the wildlife article had allegedly been obtained from the second accused.

Officials said neither individual was able to produce any documents proving lawful ownership or possession of the leopard skin.

As offences involving protected wildlife fall under the purview of the Wildlife Protection Act, the case was subsequently transferred to the forest department. The department registered a First Offence Report (FOR) against both accused under the relevant provisions of the Act.

Preliminary examination indicated that the seized item appears to be genuine leopard skin. Officials said samples have been sent to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun for forensic analysis and authentication.

Investigators suspect that the accused were attempting to sell the protected wildlife material and were actively searching for buyers when the intelligence-led operation was carried out.

During the investigation, one of the accused reportedly claimed that the leopard skin had been found at his residence and had remained in his father’s possession for several years. However, officials said he failed to provide any evidence or legal documents supporting the claim of ownership or inheritance.

Both accused were produced before a court and were later granted bail.

Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the origin of the leopard skin and ascertain whether the case is connected to a larger wildlife trafficking network. Efforts are also underway to identify potential buyers and trace the chain of illegal possession and attempted sale of the protected wildlife article. DeshGujarat