BENGALURU: The absconding main accused and sharpshooter in the Chikkamagaluru sambar poaching case, Rafiq Ahmed, is reported to have fled the country. Sources say the kingpin of one of the biggest poaching networks unearthed in Karnataka till date, has managed to flee to Dubai from Colombo.
Despite both the state forest and police department launching a manhunt for Rafiq, he not only evaded arrest but also made no effort to apply for bail. With the help of his “network of hunters”, who are spread across six states in the country, Rafiq managed to quietly flee the country, sources added.
Meanwhile, Inquiry Officer, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Tanigebailu Range, ACF Sharanubasappa, is on the verge of completing his investigations. The ongoing probe has revealed that Rafiq used to bring gangs from other states and was involved in the hunting of hundreds of protected wildlife in Chikkamagaluru district. They had reportedly brought in a lot of arms and ammunition to the district for their activities.
With the completion of preliminary investigations, the forest department will be handing over the case to state police for further probe under the Arms Act.
Sources added, “For these gangs, if hunting was an adventure, the meat of wildlife was a big source of income. Rafiq’s links with politicians in Bengaluru too has come to light and shows how he used these influential people for furthering his poaching and hunting activities.”
With the forest department unable to apprehend Rafiq Ahmed, sources conclude that now it will be difficult to ascertain the identity of other hunters and hunting teams spread across other states.