Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Forest Mobile Squad has arrested a man for allegedly capturing, slaughtering and selling the meat of India’s national bird, the peacock, in Chikkaballapur district. The accused has been identified as Sadiq Pasha.
According to forest officials, the accused was allegedly operating from a farmhouse at Baiyappanahalli village in Chikkaballapur taluk, where peacock meat was being sold illegally. Acting on a credible tip-off, officials conducted a raid and apprehended the suspect.
During the operation, the forest team seized around 3 kg of peacock meat, along with peacock eggs and skeletal remains believed to belong to the protected bird. Officials also rescued a live peacock from the premises.
Peacocks are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, and hunting, possession, trade or consumption of the bird is a serious offence. Forest authorities said the accused had allegedly slaughtered the bird and was selling the meat for profit.
A case has been registered against Sadiq Pasha under relevant provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act at the Chikkaballapur Forest Department office. Officials are investigating whether the accused was part of a larger wildlife poaching and illegal meat trade network operating in the region.
Further inquiries are underway to determine the source of the birds and identify any accomplices involved in the illegal activity.
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