Forest department files case against 'Hai Bangalore' editor Ravi Belagere

The case was filed by Kaggalipura Range Forest Officer Varun Kumar for illegally storing and possessing wildlife articles.

Journalist Ravi Belagere (File | EPS)

BENGALURU: In more trouble for Ravi Belagere, journalist and editor of Kannada tabloid Hai Bangalore, the Forest Department on Thursday evening filed a case of wildlife offence against him in the court of the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate in Bengaluru.

The case was filed by Kaggalipura Range Forest Officer Varun Kumar for illegally storing and possessing wildlife articles. According to the officer, this is a punishable offence under Sections 2 (1) (2) (16) , 9, 39, 43, 44, 48, 49(b), 50 and 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act.

On Wednesday, the forest offence case was handed over to the Forest Department. Last Thursday, police had seized the skin of a spotted deer with clear bullet wounds along with a complete shell of a turtle species after he was arrested on December 8. The shell is of a Hawksbill Sea Turtle, a protected species under Schedule 1. The 101x80 cm deer skin has a 1x0.5 inch hole near the chest.

Speaking to Express, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Ponnati Sridhar said, “I had directed Bengaluru (Urban) DCF Deepika Bajpayi to file an FIR as per Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and also a petition for body warrant. As the skin has two bullet wounds, investigations will be done regarding the hunting details of this spotted deer. The ballistic reports too will be checked as Belagere possessed a licenced gun and ammunition. We need concrete evidence to establish who hunted the spotted deer. So, a thorough inquiry will be conducted into this issue.”

A Wildlife Warden said, “Law is the same for everybody and no protection should be given to Belagere for possessing wildlife skin and shell. If it is proved that the spotted deer was hunted by him, the offender will face 3-7 years under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.” G Veeresh, wildlife activist added, “Without permission or licence, no person can possess, preserve or transport wildlife artifacts like skin, nails, bones, claws, antlers, etc. Preserving articles and trophies of wildlife is a serious offence.”

Licensed Weapons

Ravi Belagere has licence for two weapons — a double barrel gun and .32 revolver. According to police sources, he was in possession of more than 94 rounds of live bullets.

Belagere admitted to ICU after spike in sugar levels

Ravi Belagere was admitted to the intensive care unit of Jayadeva Hospital here on Thursday due to a spike in his blood sugar levels. He had also complained of chest pain. On Wednesday, a local court had granted him interim bail on the grounds of ill health. His family members said his blood sugar levels had been repeatedly fluctuating over the past two days. He underwent check-ups at Karnataka Institute of Diabetology (KID), which then referred him to Jayadeva Hospital.

Double trouble

Sanjaynagar police are waiting to take Belagere into custody after a magistrate court issued an arrest warrant in a defamation case. A few months ago, a Sandalwood actor had filed a defamation case against Belagere and the court had issued notices to the journalist. As he did not appear before the court, the 8th ACMM court issued an arrest warrant.