Wild animals seized from farmhouse belonging to ex-Congress legislator

DAVANAGERE: The Central Crime Branch (CCB) police and the Forest Department on Wednesday raided a farmhouse belonging to former Congress legislator S S Mallikarjun, behind the Kalleshwara Mills, and seized live wild animals. Seven spotted deer, 10 blackbucks, seven wild boars, three mongooses an two foxes were found. They were later handed over to the custody Forest Department, sources said.

Spotted deer and blackbucks on the farm.

About a week ago, a man was arrested in Hebbal, Bengaluru, by the CCB. The man, Senthil, had deer skin, antlers and bones in his possession. During questioning, he revealed that he procured the deer skin from Davanagere. Based on his information, the raid was conducted on the farmhouse, the sources added.

The farmhouse belonging to former Congress legislator S S Mallikarjun.

In the year 2000, 4-5 deer were being reared on the farm with permit, but the caretaker was allegedly illegally selling animal pelts and antlers. The deer had littered and their numbers had increased. They were being reared legally, sources close to Mallikarjun said.

Cases have been registered against the farm manager and some workers and the animals will be released after producing relevant documents in court, the sources added.