Man booked for illegally confining protected animals in Ludhiana

Ranjit Singh Rana was booked for illegally confining protected wild animals at his residence in Sekhdaun village near Jagraon, Ludhiana.

A joint raid by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, wildlife department, and Punjab Police rescued two black kites and a jackal from Rana's house.

The raid followed a complaint by Narinder Singh, an officer with the Ludhiana Wildlife Range, based on videos on Rana's Instagram showing protected animals in captivity.

The black kite is protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2022, making its possession without authorization a punishable offense.

A case was registered against Rana under Sections 2, 39, 48A, 50, and 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act; investigation is ongoing.