MP High Court Denies Bail In Pangolin Trafficking Case, Flags International Poaching Network

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has dismissed a bail application of a woman accused of being member of an international gang of poachers and traffickers of wild animals like Pangolin. The bench of Justice Ramkumar Choubey directed; "Indeed, the matter involves international gang of poachers and traffickers of wild life animals like Pangolin. The record suggests prima facie involvement of the applicant in the crime. Moreso, the apprehension of the State that the applicant may not remain available for trial appears to be well founded. Thus, looking to the aforesaid facts and circumstances of the case and gravity of offence alleged against the applicant, this Court is not inclined to release the applicant on bail". The application was filed seeking a grant of regular bail for a crime registered at Police Station - Tiger Strike Force, Narmadapuram. Per the prosecution, information was received by the forest personnel, who investigated the matter and discovered the involvement of the applicant along with persons involved in poaching and trafficking of wild animals. Thereafter, a crime was registered on July 13, 2015.The applicant was arrested on September 15, 2017, in Sikkim and was produced before the CJM Gangtok. She was granted an interim bail of 15 days by the CJM Gangtok to surrender before the Investigation officer of the Tiger Strike Force Office in MP. However, the applicant did not comply with the order, and therefore, non-bailable warrants were issued against her by the Gangtok Court. She thereafter moved an application for anticipatory bail, but the same was dismissed by the Sessions Court in MP and another application for anticipatory bail was dismissed by the Coordinate bench of the High Court. The applicant was taken into custody on December 2, 2025.The senior counsel for the applicant argued that the prosecution lacked any legally admissible evidence. He further submitted that the money transaction flagged by the authorities was made in 2012, much prior to the alleged incident that occured in 2015. The counsel for the State argued that the applicant was a member of an international gang of poaching and trafficking of Pangolin and other wild animals. The counsel claimed that a Red Corner Notice was issued by Interpol, France, against the applicant. The bench, taking note of the seriousness of the matter, the gravity of the offence and the likelihood that the applicant would abscond, denied bail and dismissed the application. Case Title: Yangchen Lachungpa v State of Madhya Pradesh, MCRC-18528-2026For Applicant: Senior Advocate Anil Khare with Advocate Priyankush JainFor State: Government Advocate Ritwik ParasharClick here to read/download the Order

MP High Court Denies Bail In Pangolin Trafficking Case, Flags International Poaching Network

Jayanti Pahwa

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