Mohali: A Mohali court has sentenced two men to two years’ rigorous imprisonment (RI) and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 each on them in a case involving the illegal possession and alleged sale of wild boars.The court pronounced the order in a case filed by the Punjab govt through the forest range officer (wildlife), Wildlife Protection Range, Mohali, against Sunil Kumar, a resident of Ram Darbar, Chandigarh, and Yoginder Singh of Amb Sahib Colony, Mohali.The case dates back to May 7, 2024, when officials of the Wildlife Range, Mohali, acting on secret information, raided a shed constructed near a sewerage drain on the road leading towards Dharmgarh from Amb Sahib Colony.The shed was locked, but officials allegedly heard noises of wild boars inside. On opening the shed, the team found 20 live wild boars inside.According to the prosecution, when questioned, Sunil told the officials that he had brought the wild boars from Rajasthan. Both men were arrested and the shed was kept under the observation of the wildlife department.During investigation, Sunil allegedly disclosed that he ran a meat shop in Ram Darbar and had brought the wild boars from Rajasthan for sale after slaughter. Yoginder allegedly told investigators that he worked at Sunil’s shop.The prosecution subsequently filed a challan in court. The court framed charges under Section 51 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. The accused pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.The court sentenced both convicts to two years’ RI and a fine of Rs 10,000 each under Section 51 of the Act. In default of payment of the fine, each will undergo an additional three months’ simple imprisonment. The period already spent in custody during the investigation, inquiry and trial will be set off against the substantive sentence under Section 428 of the CrPC.
