Yadgir: Seven arrested for illegally poaching wild animals

Forest Department officials along with the seven persons arrested for illegal wildlife poaching, in Yadgir on September 12. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Acting on precise intelligence, the Yadgir Regional Forest Division conducted a raid on Saturday (September 12, 2026) and arrested seven persons involved in illegal wildlife poaching inside the reserved forest area.The arrested have been identified as Ningappa, Vasudev, Kariyappa, Yallappa, Basappa and Mallappa, all residents of Bhimanahalli in Chittapur taluk, while the seventh person, Kantappa, is a native of Allur (B) village in Chittapur taluk.​The raid targeted Survey No. 30 of the Baggalamadu Section-4 forest area (Motnalli beat, Arakera (K) branch), where the accused had unlawfully trespassed. The Forest officials also seized the poached wild animals, including the burnt remains of two hunted peacocks, two live turtles, and 12 live crabs.Authorities also confiscated six country-made guns and ammunition from the accused.​A case has been registered under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The officials reiterated that hunting wildlife is a punishable offense. Following preliminary interrogation, all seven accused were presented before the court on Saturday and remanded in judicial custody for further legal proceedings.The operation was executed under the guidance of Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Annaraya B. Patil and led by Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Ramesh. The raiding team comprised Range Forest Officer (RFO) Buranuddin, Deputy Range Forest Officers (DRFOs) Manjunath Handral and Kashappa, alongside Beat Forest Officers (BFOs) Devaraja and Siddanna. Published - September 13, 2026 06:01 pm IST