NEW DELHI: The "Veerappan of the North" was the wildlife department's "priceless catch" in 1995. Ten years later, the Delhi Police boasted Sansar Chand's arrest as a feather in their cap.
But in reality Chand is far from being confined by the law. And only because the wildlife department is still struggling to dispose of cases pending against him. One case against him is 17-years-old. Registered in 1988, the court is yet to frame charges in this case.
In fact, the remaining four cases continue to be at the pre-charge evidence, which as per the procedure is just the first stage of prosecution.
The Wildlife Act stipulates filing of a complaint in the designated court by the department. The court then issues summons in the accused's name to hear the pre-charge evidence, wherein witnesses have to depose before the court.
If the judge is satisfied with the investigation, he can frame charges and start the trial, which requires recording the statement of the same witnesses all over again.
Chand faced his first case way back in 1974. Whether it's the load on judiciary or the reluctance of the department to prosecute him, the delay in his prosecution has benefited the scourge of wildlife poaching in many ways. Chand has never been in jail for more than six months and manages to evade arrests.
He has always surrendered before the court except in 1995 when he was arrested along with a damaged tiger skin and the recent arrest.
Pleading 'not guilty' on behalf of Chand, his advocates Anil Sehgal and Nidhi Sehgal Makhija say: "Chand has never being caught with skins. Even the Kamla Market case for which CBI got his custody, the agency has not recovered anything from him. Like in all the other cases, he was made an accused on the statement of those, who were actually arrested along with the animal skins. Even before the court, CBI sought Chand's custody to arrest those poachers, who were actually killing the animals in various national parks including Sariska."
If one believes the wildlife department and the police, Chand is a notorious operator who allegedly directs his "employees" to indulge in poaching. The list of poached animals include the rarest-of-the-rare species like desert cat, jungle cat and red fox. Besides, Chand also allegedly smuggles animal bones.
But as admitted by the wildlife officials, Chand has never been arrested along with any seizure except for in one case. "In 1995, Chand was arrested from the Old Delhi area with a damaged and old leopard skin. He was nabbed by a police official who was on duty at a rally. According to the police, Chand was going to sell the skin. In the court, the investigating officer himself stated that the cost of that skin was Rs 40," says Sehgal.
