A special court in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, has cancelled the bail of Ajit Pardhi, an accused in a 2013 tiger poaching case linked to the Pench Tiger Reserve, and directed that he be produced before the court via a production warrant from Maharashtra. The order marks a significant enforcement action in a case that has stretched over more than a decade.

Background: A Decade-Old Poaching Case

The case originates from 2013, when a tiger was allegedly poached in the Rukhad Range, the buffer zone of the Pench Tiger Reserve. A case was registered under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and the Madhya Pradesh State Tiger Strike Force (STSF) subsequently uncovered an alleged broader poaching network. So far, 10 accused have been arrested in connection with the case.

Ajit Pardhi remained absconding for nearly 11 years before the STSF arrested him from Balaghat district on 18 July 2024. He was subsequently granted conditional bail by the special court.

Fresh Arrest in Maharashtra Triggers Bail Cancellation

Following his release on bail, the STSF continued to monitor Pardhi's movements. On 25 January 2025, the Chandrapur Forest Department in Maharashtra arrested him in connection with a separate tiger poaching case, with the STSF also assisting Maharashtra authorities in that investigation. Pardhi is currently lodged in the Chandrapur District Jail, Maharashtra.

The fresh arrest prompted the STSF to approach the Jabalpur special court seeking cancellation of his earlier bail. Accepting the submissions of the investigating agency and the public prosecutor, the court ruled that Pardhi was no longer entitled to remain on bail and ordered the issuance of a production warrant to secure his presence.

A Rare Use of BNSS Section 480

According to an official statement by the STSF, this is one of the rare instances in Madhya Pradesh where bail and bond of an accused in a wildlife crime case have been cancelled under Section 480 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. The department noted: 'This is a rare case in Madhya Pradesh in which the bail and bond of an accused, who had earlier secured bail, have been cancelled under Section 480 of the BNSS, 2023, on the application of the investigating agency.'

A Serial Offender Across State Lines

Pardhi's alleged involvement extends well beyond the Pench case. Wildlife offences have been registered against him by multiple agencies — including the CBI — in Nagpur, Umred, Karandla Sanctuary, and Chandrapur Forest Division in Maharashtra. He has been accused of participation in the poaching and trafficking of both tigers and pangolins.

The Pench tiger poaching case continues to be investigated by the Jabalpur unit of the STSF under directions from the Wildlife Headquarters. The production warrant signals that authorities intend to consolidate proceedings against Pardhi in Madhya Pradesh, even as he faces charges in Maharashtra.

What Happens Next

With the production warrant now issued, Pardhi is expected to be brought from the Chandrapur District Jail to appear before the Jabalpur special court. His cases across two states — and the involvement of agencies including the CBI — suggest that legal proceedings against him are set to intensify in the months ahead.