Pressure on Indian govt for hearing of two Czech nationals

Darjeeling, Jul 10 (UNI) Pressure was mounting on the Indian government to hear cases of two Czech Republic nationals, arrested from the Sinhalila National Park, a biodiversity hotspot, here for alleged violation of Wildlife Act on June 22.

Czech entomologists Petr Svacha (51) and Emil Kucera (52) had been lodged in Darjeeling jail since their arrest as the lawyers had been on strike since June 25.

The two foreigners had been in jail after their arrest for unauthorised collection of butterflies, insects and other endangered species from the protected park. They had collected a large number of endangered and rare butterflies, beetles, larvae, and other species protected under the Wildlife Act.

Darjeeling Bar Association president Tarang Pandit today told UNI that he had received an e-mail yesterday from the Czech embassy to do something for hearing bail petition of the two accused.

He said he had already spoken to his colleagues to see what can be done for judicial proceeding of two foreigners lodged in Darjeeling jail.

UNI XC-PC SJC AE BD2210