Sagar Watch News/ In a dramatic late-night operation reminiscent of the infamous blackbuck poaching case involving Bollywood actor Salman Khan, the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department carried out a major action in the early hours of December 5, 2025.
Acting on suspicion, the night patrol team of Rahatgarh range intercepted two vehicles — a Mahindra Bolero (MP15-BA-0460) and a Hyundai i20 (MP40-ZD-6443) — in forest compartment P.F. 622 of Berkhedi Beat around 3:00 AM.
What followed unfolded like a sensational wildlife crime thriller.
Highway Stop Turns Into Wildlife Crime Bust
Officials questioned the occupants, who were later identified as:
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Waseem Khan, resident of Mandibamora (Sehore/Bhopal)
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Omkar Adivasi, resident of Tehratahari
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Raju Adivasi, resident of Semaramedha
A detailed search of the vehicles revealed the chilling evidence of wildlife poaching.
Seized Recoveries That Tell the Story
From the Bolero, forest officers recovered:
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≈ 6 kg of meat of a blackbuck (protected species)
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One piece of high-value teakwood (sagwan)
From the Hyundai i20, officers seized:
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4 kg meat and blackbuck hide (skin)
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A .22 bore rifle
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15 live cartridges
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Another teakwood log
During interrogation, the accused admitted they had hunted a blackbuck, a species protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, using the rifle and were transporting the meat for personal use.
Offences Registered Under Strict Wildlife & Forest Laws
The Forest Department registered the case under the relevant sections of:
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The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, protects endangered animals from hunting and trade.
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Forest Produce Transit Rules and Forest Produce Regulation Act, 1969 — prohibit illegal possession or transport of valuable forest wood such as sagwan (teak) without a permit.
All three suspects were produced in court after the initial investigation.
Operation Led by Senior Officers
The raid was executed under the leadership of:
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Ripu Daman Singh Bhadoria (IFS), Conservator of Forests, Sagar Circle
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Varun Yadav, Divisional Forest Officer (South Sagar)
Other key contributors included:
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Vinita Jatav, Sub-Divisional Forest Officer (South Sagar)
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Entire forest field team
Officials called the operation a significant victory in the ongoing crackdown against illegal wildlife hunting.
A Message for Poachers: The Forest Is Watching
The case has once again sparked discussions on illegal wildlife hunting in India — an underground activity that has trapped everyone from village hunters to celebrities.
As the investigation expands, officers say more accomplices and links may surface.
For Madhya Pradesh’s wildlife enforcement teams, this midnight arrest sends a clear warning across the forests:
“No matter how silent the hunt — the law will follow.”
