Ahmedabad: Gujarat High Court has granted conditional bail to a 22-year-old, who was arrested in Jan along with others, on charges of killing a peacock, the national bird.A complaint was registered under the Wildlife (Protection) Act against Rohit Jakhaniya and others with the Jasadhar forest range office in Gir Somnath district.According to the prosecution, Jakhaniya and others allegedly hunted a peacock at an unidentified location and later brought it near the Chikhli-Kob road in the Khara area of the forest range. They allegedly removed the bird’s skin and dumped pieces of meat and feathers near the road before fleeing. Investigators found a blackbuck horn and a trap made of clutch wire at their temporary shelter.After the lower court denied Jakhaniya bail, he approached the HC for regular bail and maintained that he was innocent. The prosecution opposed the bail plea, arguing that the offence was grave. After hearing the matter, Justice H D Suthar ordered Jakhaniya’s release on regular bail, subject to routine conditions, on furnishing a bond of Rs 25,000.
