15th July 2005

On 14 July 2005, notorious wildlife trader Sansar Chand was sent to judicial custody for the next 14 days by Mr. Manoj Jain, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of the designated wildlife court in the Tis Hazari courts, Delhi.

Sansar had been in police remand with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) since 1 July 2005, in connection with several new tiger poaching cases filed against him.

The Rajasthan Police was also present in court today, seeking another police remand for Sansar, in their custody this time. Sansar is wanted in Rajasthan for the October 2004 seizure of leopard paws and claws in Jaipur. Mr. Jain asked the Rajasthan Police to approach the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate instead.

In a dramatic turn of events, the CBI also produced Sansar before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Ms. Reena Singh Nag, before taking him to Mr. Jain's court.

Lawyers from the Wildlife Protection Society of India, Praveen Singhi and Sanjay Kumar were present in the designated wildlife court throughout, to observe the proceedings and assist the Court if necessary.