Ahmedabad: In a joint operation, the Ahmedabad Rural District Special Operations Group (SOG) and the Forest Department have busted an interstate racket involved in the illegal online sale of Indian star tortoises. The authorities have arrested four accused allegedly involved in the crime.

The operation was launched following intelligence inputs that the endangered species was being sold through an Instagram account named “Ahmedabad_dog_lovers.”

Acting on the tip-off, teams of the SOG and the Forest Department conducted separate raids, arrested the accused, and rescued several live Indian star tortoises, thereby exposing the entire smuggling network.

The arrested individuals include Mukesh Dilipbhai Soni, a resident of Jaipur and the main handler of the Instagram account “Ahmedabad_dog_lovers,” who was responsible for accepting online orders; Shubham Sunil Notwani from Ajmer, who acted as the middleman and had previously been arrested in Jaipur for wildlife smuggling; Yashwantsinh Rajendrasinh Chauhan from Pali, Rajasthan, who passed on orders from Shubham to contacts in Ahmedabad; and Sanket Maheshbhai Hetavaria, a resident of Behrampura in Ahmedabad, who delivered the tortoises to local buyers through porters.

The accused operated through an organized interstate network, using social media platforms to connect buyers and sellers. During the operation, 10 live Indian star tortoises were rescued.

Modus Operandi

The accused used social media platforms to advertise the sale of Indian star tortoises and accepted payments through digital modes. The Indian star tortoise, an internationally protected species, is often trafficked as a pet, used in religious rituals, and smuggled to Southeast Asian countries.

Preliminary investigations suggest that over 50 Indian star tortoises may have been trafficked by this network so far. Further investigation into the supply chain and online network is underway.

The Indian star tortoise (Geochelone elegans) is a protected species listed under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Possession, trade, or transportation of this species is a punishable offence, carrying a penalty of up to seven years of imprisonment and a fine of ₹1 lakh. The offence is non-bailable.

Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious advertisements or sales of wildlife species on social media or other online platforms to the nearest police station or forest department office. DeshGujarat