Pune, 23rd June 2026: The Pune Forest Department arrested a suspected wildlife trafficker near Pune Railway Station after receiving information about the illegal trade of wildlife body parts.
The accused, identified as Malhar Lala Lokhande, was found in possession of a dried 'Hatha Jodi' (dried copulatory organs of monitor lizards), which officials said was made from the reproductive organs of a monitor lizard.
Acting on a tip-off, forest officials laid a trap in the Pune railway station area and kept watch on suspicious activities. Lokhande was detained and searched, during which the prohibited wildlife item was recovered from his possession. The forest team immediately seized the material and arrested the accused.
A case has been registered against Lokhande under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. He was produced before a court, which remanded him to one day of forest custody.
Officials said further investigations are underway to determine the source of the wildlife specimen and whether a larger trafficking network is involved.
The operation was carried out by a team led by Forest Range Officer Nandkumar Patil under the guidance of Conservator of Forests Ashish Thakare, Deputy Conservator of Forests Abhijit Vaikos, and Assistant Conservator of Forests Vishal Chavan.
The Pune Forest Department has appealed to citizens to report any information related to wildlife trafficking or illegal activities involving wild animals through its toll-free helpline number 1926.