Forest Dept to file case against Santhosh Madhavan: Minister

Thiruvananthapuram, May 11 (UNI) The Forest Department will file a case against Santhosh Madhavan for allegedly keeping tiger skin in his flat at Kochi, Kerala Forest Minister Binoy Viswam said.

Talking to mediapersons here, he said according to the Wildlife protection Act, unauthorised keeping of tiger skin by an individual was an offence and the department would take action against him.

Mr Viswom said he had asked the Chief Conservator of Forest (Vigilance) to inquire all the incidents and submit a report to him on steps to be initiated on the issue, based on the newspaper reports. The Department would not hesitate to take action against the accused, irrespective of status, he added.

Following a complaint from an individual, top police officials had conducted a raid at Mr Madhavan's residence in Kochi, who was allegedly wanted by the Interpol in a cheating case and recovered lots of items, including sandalwood and a tiger skin worth Rs 1.5 lakh.

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