Forest officials arrest two poachers with spotted deer meat in Bahraich wildlife division

Forest department officials in Bahraich's Katarniaghat Wildlife Division successfully foiled an illegal hunting attempt in protected forest territory and arrested two men who were allegedly involved in poaching wildlife on the evening of 18.09.2026. The enforcement operation, carried out at 7:00 pm based on precise intelligence, led to the recovery of spotted deer meat and hunting equipment from the possession of the accused.

Acting on confidential information about hunting activity in the protected area, a special team of forest personnel from Katarniaghat Range conducted a strategic encirclement operation in Compartment Number 5A under Bichhiya Beat. As soon as the team spotted the suspects inside the forest, they swiftly moved in and apprehended one accused on the spot.

Forest officials seized the following materials from the possession of the arrested individual: fresh meat of spotted deer (Axis axis), four wire snares used for trapping wildlife, one knife, and one bicycle. The second suspect, who attempted to flee the scene on a motorcycle, was also caught by the alert team a short distance away due to their quick response.

The two accused have been identified as Om Prakash son of Kishun Lal, resident of village Tedhiha, Gram Sabha Chahalwa, police station Sujauli, district Bahraich, and Rajesh Porwal son of Manohar Lal, resident of Chafariya Bazaar, police station Sujauli, district Bahraich.

A wildlife crime case has been registered against both accused under the Wildlife Protection Act. They were produced before the Judicial Magistrate on 19.09.2026, from where they were remanded to Judicial Custody. Further legal proceedings in the matter are underway.

The Forest Department has made it clear that effective patrolling in forest areas will continue for the protection of forests and wildlife under the policy of Zero Tolerance towards wildlife crimes. The successful operation demonstrates the department's commitment to cracking down on illegal hunting activities in the Katarniaghat Wildlife Division and safeguarding the region's biodiversity and protected species from poachers operating in the area.