Three persons were today sentenced to five years' imprisonment in connection with a case of poaching of a tiger in Maharashtra two years ago.

Chief Judicial Magistrate of Amravati, Jayant Raje sentenced three of the seven accused to five years imprisonment after holding them guilty.

The incident took place in Dhakana Range in the Melghat tiger reserve in December 2012.

Amravati's Honorary Wildlife Warden Vishal Bandsod said, "On March 4, 2013, our informers reported poaching. Forest officials carried out an investigation after which seven people were arrested. It was found that the poaching took place in the last week of December, 2012. A steel trap used to kill the tiger was seized and investigators also found the feline's blood and flesh at the site of the killing."

"Samples of the tiger's flesh and blood as well as the nails of the accused were sent to CCMB forensic lab in Hyderabad and the test was positive," he said.

"An accused, who had turned approver, turned hostile in court. There will be a fresh trial against him and separate charges will be framed, while three others were let off," Bandsod said.

He said forensic evidence proved crucial as it is very difficult to find witnesses in such cases.

"Separate cases are being filed against three traders from North India who had links with the poachers," he said.