Case against RFO for possessing tiger claw, forests officials seize pendant from minister’s son

BENGALURU: While the Forest Department officials are conducting searches on actors, high-profile individuals and priests for possession of wildlife parts, one of its own officers has been found sporting a tiger claw pendant in violation of rules.

Range Forest Officer C N Muniraja, who is with the BBMP, has been clicked on several occasions wearing a tiger claw pendant. Following a complaint to the authorities, along with the photographs, a case has been registered against the official.

Deputy RFO Darshan was suspended after he failed to turn up for inquiry.

In Chikkamagalur, Deputy Range Forest Officer Darshan, who was seen in photographs wearing a tiger claw pendant, has been suspended by Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Nandeesh after he failed to turn up for inquiry. Darshan hails from Aldur in Chikkamagalur taluk and two persons — Supreeth and Abdul from Arenooru village had filed a complaint the officer.

Forest officials took custody of the pendant belonging to Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar’s son Mrunal.

Meanwhile, senior Forest officials visited the residence of Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar at Kuvempu Nagar in Belagavi on Friday after photos of her son Mrunal Hebbalkar sporting a tiger claw pendant went viral on social media.

Speaking to reporters, the minister claimed that the tiger claw was a plastic one which was presented to Mrunal as a wedding gift. “It is not an original one. I am vegetarian and I don’t like animal sacrifice. I will answer all the queries of the officials. I am in a responsible position and the law applies equally for all”, she added.

Rajat Ullagaddimath claimed that a costume designer had given the synthetic pendant to him for a wedding photoshoot.

Forest officials also visited the house of Laxmi Hebbalkar’s son-in-law Rajat Ullagaddimath in Hubballi and took possession of a tiger claw pendant after photographs of him went viral on social media.

Rajat told Public TV, “During my wedding, a constume designer had given it to me for a photoshoot. It is a synthetic object and I will cooperate with the authorities”.

Photos of Congress MLA Laxman Savadi’s son Sumeet Savadi wearing a tiger claw pendant during his wedding have also gone viral.

In Raichur, photographs of two associates of an MLA and a former minister sporting tiger claws has gone viral. Shivaraj Patil Gunjalli and Anand Patil are said to be associates of Sindhanur MLA Hampanagouda Badarli and former minister B C Patil. With the crackdown, they are said to have removed the pendants.

Photos of the Datta Peetha Shakadri sitting on a tiger pelt have gone viral.

Meanwhile, after Forest officials checke Vinay Guruji’s ashram in Chikkamagalur district, photographs of the Shakadri of the Datta Peetha at Bababudangiri seated on tiger pelt have started doing the rounds.

The district unit of the Sri Rama Sene has decided to lodge a complaint with the Forest Department alleging that the Shakadri, who is residing at the Datta Peetha ‘illegally’, is in possession of a tiger pelt and to take action against him.