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CBI takes over Corbett Park probe

The Central Bureau of Investigation will formally take over investigations into elephant poaching at the Jim Corbett National Park on Friday. The CBI will soon constitute a core team led by a senior officer.

CBI director R K Raghavan told rediff.com, ''Yes, we have received a letter from the secretary, forests and environment. We have been asked to investigate the case. Under Section 50 of the Wildlife Protection Act, the CBI has the jurisdiction to investigate such matters. We are the nodal agency when it comes to violation of the environment and wildlife protection."

According to sources, the ministry of environment decided to hand over the case to the CBI following allegations that some park officials may be colluding with poachers.

The letter, dated February 14, and signed by secretary P V Jaikrishnan, has requested the CBI director to take over the investigations of the case.

Another reason why the CBI has stepped in is the delay in lodging a first information report by the park officials. Though the first tusker was killed on December 27 last year, the FIR was registered only in the second week of February 2001. Top forest officials agreed that there was a lapse in taking action.

They privately admitted that had the FIR been lodged in December and the police had launched a manhunt for the poachers at least three tuskers could have been saved.

The first information report was lodged at the Kalagarh police station, which comes under Bijnore UP district police offences under Section 429 of the Indian Penal Code, of poisoning the tuskers, Section 3, 9 and 45 of the Wildlife Protection Act.

CBI spokesman S M Khan said in New Delhi that the special team would be led by an officer of the rank of superintendent of police.

EARLIER REPORTS
Tusker poisoned, black buck lynched at Corbett Park
CBI team reaches Corbett Park
Corbett Park to remain open for tourists during search for poachers
Investigators suspect insiders' involvement in poaching

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