Tiger poaching cases shifted to a higher Indian court
- Posted
In a surprise move, the two sensitive tiger poaching cases being heard by judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) DS Parwani were on Thursday shifted to the court of chief judicial magistrate (CJM). Though immediate reason to shift the cases to a higher court was not known, legal experts say the JMFC has power to sentence poachers for three years but the CJM can sentence them to seven years if found guilty under the Wildlife Protection Act. According to sources, Parwani himself on September 4, through a letter requested principal district and sessions judge KK Sonawane to shift the cases. Accordingly, the two tiger poaching cases in which at least 30 organized poachers and their harbourers were arrested, have been now shifted to the court of AC Raut, chief judicial magistrate (CJM). The CJM will hear the matter on September 17. See link below to the report in The Times of India.