DRI Pune seizes protected wildlife near railway station, two arrested
Synopsis
DRI officers in Pune arrested two individuals and recovered three live Malabar giant squirrels and seven live Indian star tortoises — both Schedule I protected species — near Pune Railway Station on 20 May. The bust, driven by specific intelligence, underscores a widening DRI enforcement net that on the same day also netted ₹120 crore worth of smuggled e-cigarettes.
Key Takeaways
DRI Pune seized 3 live Malabar giant squirrels and 7 live Indian star tortoises near Pune Railway Station on 20 May 2025 .
Two suspects were arrested and all recovered wildlife handed over to the Forest Department, Pune .
Both species are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 , carrying the highest level of legal protection.
The operation was intelligence-driven, conducted by the DRI Mumbai Zonal Unit .
On the same day, DRI separately seized nearly 3,00,000 e-cigarettes worth over ₹120 crore across four states.
The Pune Regional Unit of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), operating under the Mumbai Zonal Unit, seized prohibited wildlife species near Pune Railway Station on 20 May and arrested two individuals allegedly involved in the illegal possession and trade of protected animals. The operation recovered a total of three live Malabar giant squirrels and seven live Indian star tortoises — both species accorded the highest legal protection under Indian law.
How the Operation Unfolded
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, DRI officers launched a targeted surveillance operation in Pune and intercepted the first suspect at a pre-identified location on 20 May. A search of his belongings revealed three live Malabar giant squirrels concealed inside two corrugated cartons. Follow-up enquiries led officers to a second location in the city, where a second suspect was apprehended in possession of seven live Indian star tortoises.
Legal Status of the Seized Species
Both species carry the strongest protections available under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The Malabar giant squirrel is listed under Schedule I of the Act, making its hunting and trade strictly prohibited except under specific legal provisions. The Indian star tortoise is similarly listed under Schedule I, with hunting, possession, transportation, and trade all banned under the statute. Violations attract stringent penalties under the Act.
Rescued Animals and Custody
All rescued wildlife — along with the two apprehended individuals and the packing materials used for concealment — have been handed over to the Forest Department, Pune, for further legal proceedings. The DRI stated it remains committed to protecting wildlife and preserving environmental sustainability through intelligence-based operations targeting trafficking syndicates and poaching networks.
DRI's Broader Enforcement Push
The wildlife seizure came on the same day the DRI announced a separate large-scale crackdown on smuggled e-cigarettes across ports, airports, and inland container depots in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, and West Bengal. That operation resulted in the seizure of nearly 3,00,000 electronic cigarettes of various brands and specifications, valued at more than ₹120 crore, according to the Ministry of Finance. The vapes were reportedly sourced from China and imported under mis-declared consignments concealed within furniture and metal chair parts. The back-to-back operations signal an intensified enforcement posture by the DRI across contraband categories.
Point of View
But the Forest Department's downstream capacity to rehabilitate seized live animals — particularly the stress-sensitive Malabar giant squirrel — is an accountability question the enforcement narrative routinely skips. Two arrests and a handover to the Forest Department is a beginning, not a conclusion.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What wildlife was seized by DRI near Pune Railway Station?
DRI officers recovered three live Malabar giant squirrels and seven live Indian star tortoises. Both species are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which prohibits their hunting, possession, and trade.
Who was arrested in the DRI Pune wildlife operation?
Two individuals were arrested — one found with the squirrels concealed in corrugated cartons, and a second apprehended at a separate Pune location in possession of the tortoises. Both have been handed over to the Forest Department along with the seized animals.
What is Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972?
Schedule I lists species that receive the highest level of legal protection in India. Hunting, possession, transportation, and trade of Schedule I animals are strictly prohibited, and violations attract the most stringent penalties under the Act.
What happens to the seized animals after the DRI operation?
The rescued Malabar giant squirrels and Indian star tortoises, along with the two accused and packing materials, have been handed over to the Forest Department in Pune for further legal proceedings and animal care.
What other major seizure did DRI announce on the same day?
DRI also announced the seizure of nearly 3,00,000 smuggled e-cigarettes worth over ₹120 crore across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, and West Bengal. The vapes were sourced from China and imported in mis-declared consignments hidden inside furniture and metal chair parts.
