Bail to trader arrested for dealing in wildlife articles

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate G N Pandey granted bail to Ranjit Kumar Datta on a personal bond of Rs 10,000 and a surety of like amount.

Dutta was arrested from IITF's West Bengal pavilion on November 20 for selling various wildlife articles, including huge quantity of shells of Cassis cornuta (horned helmet, a species of very large sea snail) and Trochus niloticus (a top-shaped sea snail), falling in the scheduled category under the Wildlife Protection Act.

"From the record it appears that the prosecution is not quite sure regarding the genuineness of recovered contraband articles and on the application of the investigating officer, recovered shells falling in schedule I and VI were directed to be sent for expert opinion.

"Keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case, period of custody and nature of offence, accused is admitted on bail," the court said.