Justice Nitin Sambre and Justice Vrushali Joshi at the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court have directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to extend full support to the Maharashtra Forest Department in probing tiger poaching cases. The High Court also addressed concerns over illegal fishing and attacks on forest personnel in the Pench Tiger Reserve. The High Court permitted amicus curiae to add the CBI, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau as respondents in the case. Deputy Solicitor General of India, N S Deshpande, has been directed to waive notices for these newly-added parties. The High Court took note of illegal tiger poaching in Vidarbha region which is allegedly carried out by poachers from Madhya Pradesh and facilitated by traders from Meghalaya. Since the investigation is currently being handled by the State Forest Department, the court has sought a status report in a sealed envelope.

 

The CBI has been instructed to assist if requested by the Forest Department as it the inter-state nature of the crime. The High Court also raised serious concerns about illegal fishing in Pench Tiger Reserve, the court underlined a violent attack on forest officials. A patrolling team, including personnel from the Special Tiger Force, was attacked with firebombs which led to the destruction of a reservoir and the burning of patrol boats. The High Court noted that these illegal activities were allegedly carried out by locals in connivance with crimianls from Madhya Pradesh. Nagpur Rural Police is investigating the matter and the court has directed the Government Pleader to submit a status report on the probe. In response to the attacks on forest officers, the High Court has ordered the Forest Department to immediately provide additional patrolling boats with armed personnel from the Tiger Protection Force. Furthermore, if vacancies exist in the

 

Tiger Protection Force, the High Court has directed the State to deploy personnel from the State Reserve Police Force to ensure security. The court underlined the need for better intelligence gathering to prevent poaching and sought the Maharashtra Government’s response on the existing policy framework and steps to strengthen wildlife protection measures. A note prepared by the amicus curiae will be reviewed by the Additional Chief Secretary (Forest) for further action. The High Court has directed all respondents, including the Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh governments, to submit their responses within three weeks with details of the steps taken to address these critical issues. The directions were issued in line with the Supreme Court’s ruling in T N Godavarman Thirumulpad vs. Union of India (2024 SCC OnLine SC 243), which stressed for strict measures for wildlife conservation.