CBI Court Sentences Six to Two Years Imprisonment in Major Wildlife Smuggling Case

Lucknow March 31, 2026 :- In a significant judicial breakthrough for wildlife conservation, a special CBI Court in Lucknow has convicted and sentenced six individuals to two years of imprisonment for their involvement in a massive wildlife smuggling racket.

The convicts—identified as Mumtaj Ahmad, Jaibun Nisha, Ajij Ullah, Waheed, Sartaj, and Majeed—were also ordered to pay a fine of Rs. 10,000 each. This landmark ruling concludes a legal battle that spans over two decades, following a meticulous investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the illegal possession and trade of endangered animal parts.

The case dates back to March 23, 2000, when the CBI registered a complaint after a major recovery operation exposed a substantial quantity of prohibited wildlife articles hidden in the residences of the accused.

The seized haul was staggering, comprising 18,000 leopard nails, 74 leopard skins, 4 tiger skins, and a large collection of bones from both species. These items are strictly classified under Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, a category reserved for species that receive the highest level of legal protection and for which trade or possession is strictly prohibited.

During the trial, the prosecution successfully demonstrated the active involvement of the accused in an organized smuggling network. Consequently, the court found them guilty under Section 49B of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, read alongside Section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (criminal conspiracy) and Section 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act.

This conviction is viewed as a major victory for the CBI in its ongoing mission to dismantle trafficking networks, serving as a powerful deterrent against the exploitation of India’s endangered tiger and leopard populations.