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Blackbuck & Chinkara Smuggling Case: Indore High Court rejects bail for Azad and Sabah

Blackbuck & Chinkara Smuggling Case: Indore High Court Rejects Bail

Blackbuck & Chinkara Smuggling Case: Indore High Court Rejects Bail for Azad and Sabah

By TINA KHATRI
Indore, MP | February 9, 2026

The Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has stood firm against organized wildlife crime, denying bail to two key members of an interstate poaching syndicate.

The decision followed a compelling prosecution by the State Tiger Strike Force (STSF), which presented solid evidence detailing the gang's systematic hunting of rare and endangered species.

Wildlife Conservation

Case Chronology

Dec 3, 2024 Initial arrest of three suspects in Kishanganj with approximately 65 kg of meat, a country-made pistol, and a Toyota Innova Crysta.
Aug 21, 2025 A new case (POR No. 237/22) registered following fresh evidence of an organized interstate ring hunting in protected forest areas.
Nov 2025 Accused Azad and Sabah entered judicial custody, where they have remained for the past three months.
Feb 9, 2026 High Court dismissed bail pleas MCRC 56353/2025 and MCRC 5598/2026 based on forensic evidence and the strength of the investigation.

Key Investigation Data

06 Total Arrests to Date
~65 kg Wildlife Meat Seized
14 Mos Time in Custody for Initial Accused

Forensic & Technical Evidence

The STSF leveraged scientific and technical methods to establish the gang's involvement in hunting Blackbuck, Chinkara, and Sambar across state lines. Critical to the bail denial were mobile forensic reports submitted to the court, which contained direct digital evidence of the suspects' hunting activities.

During the investigation, a significant cache of firearms and live ammunition used in poaching was also recovered based on information provided by the suspects during their remand.

Judicial Context

In opposing the bail, the STSF presented a strong case citing essential legal precedents, including the Arnesh Kumar vs. State of Bihar ruling. They emphasized the severity of organized smuggling from protected forest areas in Madhya Pradesh. The court's rejection of the bail underscores the strength of the STSF’s precise investigation.

Source: Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Madhya Pradesh.

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