Lucknow: Years after Bolywood actor Salman Khan was arrested for poaching in Rajashthan, professional golfer Jyoti Singh Randhawa was nabbed on Wednesday by forest authorities on charges of poaching in Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in Bahraich district.
At the time arrest, a wild boar skin, dead jungle fowl and a .22 rifle were recovered from Randhawa’s vehicle.
According to reports, a joint team of forest officials, range staff and Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) personnel intercepted a vehicle (HR26 DN 4299) on suspicion of poaching in Motipur Range of Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary.
Sources in the state forest department said that during the search of Randhawa’s vehicle, a binocular, three empty shells of .22 cartridges, 80 live cartridges, magazine, rangefinder, two mobile searchlight torches, Rs 36,600 cash was recovered.
Randhawa, along with another man identified as Mahesh Virajdar, were arrested as the duo reportedly shot the jungle fowl on Tuesday.
Randhawa reportedly owns a farm in the nearby area and was spotted moving in the are by the forest authorities during the last few days.
Forest department sources said that the arrested golfers is being subjected to interrogation and thereafter further legal action against him would initiated by the Divisional Forest Officer os Katarniaghat.