Madurai: Four men arrested in Theni while transporting four elephant tusks to buyers in Kerala claimed the ivory came from relatives of the erstwhile Kandamanayakkanur zamindar, but failed to produce valid ownership documents.
Those arrested were Krishnaprabhu, 42, of Cumbum; Vijayan, 42, of Anaimalayanpatti; Annamaraja, 53, of Koodal Nagar in Madurai; and Vasudevan, 52, of Sikandar Chavadi in Madurai.
Section 43 prohibits their commercial sale even when the holder has a certificate of ownership. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Madurai | Silver Rate in Madurai | Bank Holidays in Madurai | Public Holidays in Madurai | Madurai AQI | Weather in Madurai | Petrol Price in Madurai | Diesel Price in Madurai | CNG Price in Madurai | LPG Price in Madurai Stay updated with the latest Madurai news.
The suspects produced two certificates, but investigators found neither constituted valid documentation of lawful ownership, sources said. The arrests followed intelligence gathered by the Tamil Nadu Forest and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (TNFWCCB) about a gang attempting to sell ivory in Kerala. The bureau alerted the Theni forest department, which mounted a vehicle check under Cumbum West forest range officer Deenadayalan. The cars and tusks were seized. During questioning, the men claimed they obtained the tusks from the Kandamanayakkanur zamindari and that relatives of the former estate-owning family were arranging their sale to a Kerala buyer. Officials have yet to verify the claim or establish the alleged sellers’ identities. The Wildlife (Protection) Act provides for the declaration and certification of legally held wildlife trophies, including inherited specimens. Local reports estimated each tusk weighed 20kg to 30kg, with the consignment valued at several lakh rupees. Forest officials are tracing the tusks’ provenance, alleged intermediaries and intended buyers across the state border. Download the TOI App.
His team intercepted two cars on the Cumbum bypass on Tuesday and found two pairs of elephant tusks concealed inside.
Preliminary investigation suggests the ivory is old rather than the result of recent elephant poaching, although its origin remains unverified, sources said. The tusks bore ornamental bands that made them resemble old trophies.