Four held for selling fake tiger skin

​Hyderabad: The Sleuths of SOT, Malkajgiri Zone along with Abdullahpurmet police apprehended four members gang on Wednesday. While they were trying to sell a fake tiger skin. The police seized a painted skin, and a car from the possession of the accused. 

The accused were identified as Vottam Raju (26), a native of Yellandu, Erupa Venkateshwarlu (33), a native of Repallevada village, Akula Srinivas Goud (37), a resident of Ragavapuram village, Daravath (29), a native of Seethampeta village. All of them hails from agency area of Bhadradri Kothagudem district.

According to the police, the accused came to know that the tiger’s skin was highly valuable in the grey market. Then, they ganged up to find tiger skin, but their efforts have gone in vain. The accused found some other animal skin and painted it emulating a tiger. Then they were on the look for prospective buyers. 

Finally, they had a deal to deliver the skin for Rs 15 lakh. Based on the credible information, the police intercepted their vehicle on the national highway 65 at Abdullapurmet. 

“We will send the skin to Forensic lab to ascertain more details about the fake tiger skin, Syed Rafeeq, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, SOT. A case under Section 420 of IPC has been registered with Abdullapurmet police.