JAIPUR: Wildlife Crime Control Bureau ( WCCB ) in association with state forest department arrested a former BJP councillor and his son for running an illegal wildlife trade in the Moti Doongri area WCCB recovered reproductive organs of monitor lizards , which looks like two hands clasped in prayer and has been misinterpreted as a holy object which can bring prosperity. It is also believed that the organs can save people from court cases. The team also seized body parts of jackal and shells other aquatic animals.Former councillor Roshan Saini and his son Rohit Saini, allegedly selling the body parts of these endangered species of wildlife to astrologers and people involved in witchcraft practice for performing black magic.Acting on a tip-off, the WCCB team reached at Saini’s shop after becoming a customer and when the owner produced the parts in front of them he was immediately taken in custody.They were taken to the Jhalana wildlife outpost where they were interrogated till late night before handing them over to the Forest Department of Jaipur. They were produced before the court on Tuesday and hearing of their bail application will be done on Wednesday.Sudarshan Sharma, district conservator of forest (wildlife), Zoo, Jaipur while talking to TOI said, “They have a shop near Moti Doongri Temple of religious products. Father-son duo was selling the animal parts illegally in that shop which was already seized by JMC but they were running the business from the back door of the shop. The products were being sold on the basis of weight and 10 grams was sold for Rs 1,500.” This is one of many incidences when people were caught selling animal products.Three months back, some people were caught selling animal products at Johari Bazaar and near Manak Chowk police station. There are four kinds of monitor lizard found in India which are protected under the Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and their trade is restricted under Appendix 1 of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

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