Crime Branch arrests four in Ivory smuggling worth Rs.35 lakhs, links with Veerappan’s wife

Acting on a tip – off, Ahmedabad Crime Branch conducted a raid at the residence of a person in Fatewadi area of Ahmedabad and recovered ivory. During a raid at residence of Prakash Chunilal Jain and subsequent to his interrogation police succeeded in getting the ivory. Police has also arrested three more persons along with Prakash Jain who were his associates. The ivory has been handed over to FSL and Forest Department for further investigation.

56 years Prakash, residing at Bodakdev used to visit Salem in Tamil Nadu frequently. He was also going with associates of Virappan gang. He was also aware of the name of widow of Veerappan, who died in 2004. He used to tell his close people to provide them ivory in case they need. On this tip-off police raided his residence and recovered ivory worth Rs.35 lakhs. Three other people were assisting him for the sale of ivory. Abdul Kabrani, his son Shehbaz, residing at Supasi village of Veraval, Gir Somnath district, gave this ivory to Prakash Jain to sell. The ivory has been recovered form the residence of Anish Khokhar and Rabiya Khokhar at Gulrez Raw House, Fatehwadi, Ahmedabad. Police has seized it and sent it to FSL.

After many years the first case of ivory smuggling has come to fore, where Crime Branch has undertaken investigation after the raid.