Hyderabad: Nine people were apprehended in a joint operation by Shadnagar police, the Special Operations Team (SOT) and Forest Department officials for allegedly hunting a blackbuck and transporting its meat towards Hyderabad.
Acting on credible information, the teams intercepted two vehicles near the Raikal Toll Plaza on September 27. Officials recovered around 13 kg of suspected blackbuck meat, a licensed .315 rifle and other material from the vehicles.
The nine persons were identified as M.D. Haji Uddin (36), a real estate businessman from Edi Bazar; Meer Mukhtar Ali (37), a mechanic from Edi Bazar; M.D. Tajamul (37), a businessman from Charminar; Meer Raza Ali Khan (39), a sign-board businessman from Ramachandrapuram; Khurram Khan (35), a software professional from Ramachandrapuram; Syed Salman Ali (30), an MBA student from Moghalpura; M.D. Afroz Khan (36), a solar business operator from Shastripuram; M.D. Abdul Aziz (33), a mobile sales businessman from Charminar Bus Stand; and M.D. Riyaz (28), a mechanic from Utkoor in Mahabubnagar district.
Police said Haji Uddin was the licensed firearm holder and allegedly used the weapon during the hunting expedition.
Police Recover Rifle, Ammunition and 13 Kg Meat
According to the preliminary inquiry, Haji Uddin and the other eight persons allegedly left Hyderabad around midnight on September 26 and reached the Marikal forest area near Narayanpet on September 27 morning.
Officials said the group moved around the area between approximately 7 am and noon. During this period, Haji Uddin allegedly used his licensed .315 rifle to hunt a blackbuck.
The animal was allegedly cut into pieces, packed and loaded into the vehicles before the group began its journey back towards Hyderabad. The two vehicles were intercepted near the Raikal Toll Plaza while they were allegedly transporting the meat.
During subsequent questioning, Haji Uddin allegedly told officials that he and his friends had hunted the blackbuck using his licensed firearm. Police and Forest Department officials are investigating the exact circumstances of the alleged hunt and the role played by each person.
Officials seized a .315 rifle fitted with a telescopic sight and silencer, 19 rounds of ammunition, two torch lights, a Canon camera, eight smartphones and ₹28,590 in cash.
The teams also seized a Mahindra Scorpio (TS12EV-8884) and a Suzuki Vitara (TG12BA-0775).
A Preliminary Offence Report (POR No. 15) has been registered under Sections 9, 39, 50, 51 and 57 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, along with Section 30 of the Arms Act.
The operation was carried out under the supervision of Future City Commissioner of Police Dr Tarun Joshi, with the involvement of Shadnagar Police, SOT Shadnagar, Forest Department officials from Amangal Range and the Anti-Poaching Squad.
Officials said the investigation will also examine the seized phones, camera and other material to determine whether the accused were allegedly involved in earlier wildlife hunting or transportation activities.
The authorities have warned that hunting, killing, possessing or transporting protected wildlife and its meat can attract action under the Wildlife (Protection) Act. The investigation is continuing, and further details are expected as the probe progresses.
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