Maharashtra minister accused of Chinkara case resigns

Pune, July 7 : Maharashtra Transport and Tribal Welfare Minister Dharmaraobaba Atram, acussed of killing Chinkara, a rare breed of deer, at Baramati near Pune has resigned from the cabinet today.

Atram, a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) member submitted his resignation to Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today.

The former minister is alleged to have hunted a Chinkara, an endangered species on June 14 near Pune.

Atram resignation follows a raid conducted at his houses in Gadchiroli and Pune districts by the forest officials.

Remains of a Chinkara were found from his house.

Atram's car with red beacon along with two other vehicles had been sighted by the villagers in the area, which led to suspicion over his involvement in the hunting of the deer, an endangered species.

Forest officials had filed a case under the protection of wildlife act and arrested two persons in this connection.

During the investigation the minister's car had also been seized and searched.

ANI