MP court cancels bail of alleged tiger poacher in 2013 Pench case

According to an official statement issued by the Madhya Pradesh State Tiger Strike Force (STSF), this is one of the rare instances in the state where the bail and bond of an accused in a wildlife crime case have been cancelled under Section 480 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.

"This is a rare case in Madhya Pradesh in which the bail and bond of an accused, who had earlier secured bail, have been cancelled under Section 480 of the BNSS, 2023, on the application of the investigating agency," the department said.

The case dates back to 2013, when a tiger was allegedly poached in the Rukhad Range, the buffer zone of the Pench Tiger Reserve, and a case was registered under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

During the investigation, the STSF uncovered the alleged involvement of a poaching network. So far, 10 accused have been arrested in the case.

Ajit Pardhi had remained absconding for nearly 11 years before the STSF arrested him from Balaghat district on July 18, 2024. He was later granted conditional bail by the special court.

However, officials said the STSF continued to monitor his activities after his release. On January 25, 2025, he was arrested by the Chandrapur Forest Department in Maharashtra in connection with another tiger poaching case. The STSF also assisted the Maharashtra authorities in that investigation.

Following his fresh arrest, the STSF moved the special court in Jabalpur seeking cancellation of his bail. Accepting the submissions of the investigating agency and the public prosecutor, the court ruled that the accused was not entitled to remain on bail and ordered the issuance of a production warrant.

"The court cancelled the accused's bail and bond and directed that a production warrant be issued to ensure his presence before the court," the statement said.

Pardhi has been accused of being involved in several cases related to the poaching and trafficking of tigers and pangolins. Wildlife offences have been registered against him by different agencies, including the CBI, in Nagpur, Umred, Karandla Sanctuary and Chandrapur Forest Division in Maharashtra.

The Pench tiger poaching case is being investigated by the Jabalpur unit of the State Tiger Strike Force under the directions of the Wildlife Headquarters.

--IANS

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