The state forest department on Friday arrested small-time actress and model Momita Pradeep Ghosh for allegedly harbouring deerskins when they raided her house following a tip-off. She was arrested and remanded to police custody for a day, following which she was sent to judicial custody.
Ghosh (29) is a resident of Ambivali Society at New Veera Road in Andheri (west). “A complainant came to our office claiming he had information about the presence of such skin in her apartment. When we raided it one skin was found under a pillow while the other was drying on the
window. The skin belongs to the spotted deer breed and will be sent for forensic analysis, following which it will be destroyed. Ghosh told us the skin was gifted to her by a
close friend, Nitin Chauhan from Ranchi whom we are now trying to trace,” said divisional forest officer
(vigilance) Hanumantrao Dhumal.
Ghosh also told
officers that she intended to use the skins as a mat during religious rituals and morning poojas. The spotted deer is a protected species under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act. “She has given Chauhan’s number, which we are trying to trace. We need to question him regarding the source of the skin, how the animal was poached and what type of firearm was used in the hunt,” added Mr Dhumal.
Poachers normally hunt spotted deers and sell them as trophies to desirous people, forest
officers said. “On several instances, poachers simply skin the animal and give the main body to local tribals, who eat it
as a delicacy,” Mr Dhumal added.