Maharashtra: 4 Men Arrested For Raping Monitor Lizard In Sahyadri Tiger Reserve

Sangli, 15th April 2022: The forest department officials have arrested four poachers for allegedly raping a monitor lizard in the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR). The incident came to light when they were carrying weapons in the Gabha area of Gotham village in the STR on Thursday.

Vishal Mali, Divisional Forest Officer, Chandoli National Park which is part of the STR, said that on March 31, a forest ranger noticed four accused heading towards the forest with weapons in a camera trap. He noted their movement and informed the senior officers. The senior officers investigated and arrested the accused. One accused was arrested from Hativ village and two accused from Maral in Sangameshwar taluka of Ratnagiri. They also seized their mobile phones which contained a video of the rape.

The accused had also rabbits, pangolins and deer and their photos have also been found on their mobile phones.