Interestingly, the judgment comes a few days after a sensitization workshop was organized for judges by the forest department in Chikhaldara. Recently, another additional CJM had sentenced two poachers Ranjit Bhatia and DalbirBawariya, and a tiger skin trader SarjuBawariya from Haryana for seven years.

The dreaded poachers who have been acquitted include ArkasDarkasChouhan (25), his brother Bandaria (24) and KunterPardhi (30). All of them were charged with killing tigers, leopards, and sloth bear in Ghatang under East Melghat division in Melghat.

The trio was part of a big gang involved in laying steel traps in Masondi forest in Ghatang range. The poachers destroyed leopard and sloth bear body parts but decamped with tiger skins when they were trapped.

However, sources said the lethargy of forest officials concerned, who did not investigate the matter by an assistant conservator (ACF) rank officer as is mandatory under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, proved costly. Besides, investigating officials were transferred frequently.

"Otherwise, there was enough evidence in the form of body parts' seizure," said sources.

East Melghat Division deputy conservator of forests (DyCF) S Yuvraj said, "Even if the accused have been acquitted, they are being tried in another two cases of tiger and leopard killing."

However, forest officials said the lethargy of senior officials may reflect in other poaching cases being fought here. Arkas gang, which was arrested from Pune in October last, is a dreaded poacher operating in Melghat landscape. He used to mortgage gold in Amravati for cash to fund poaching operations. His role is also suspected in killing a tiger in Akot division.