NY Man Caught Smuggling ‘Wildlife Trophy’ At Delhi Airport

NEW DELHI (IANS) – Paljit Singh Paul Lalvani of New York, was caught at Delhi Airport for smuggling a ‘wildlife trophy’, a police official said on March 29.

A ‘wildlife trophy’ refers to an animal or its head, skin, or any other body part that the hunter keeps as a souvenir.

The Indian American was apprehended on March 24 while attempting to transport a suspicious wildlife trophy presumed to be from an antelope/carved species, out of the country.

Despite being initially booked under the Customs Act, 1962, Lalvani’s case was later directed to the Wildlife Department by the Duty Magistrate, Patiala House Court.

“I am writing to bring to your attention a serious violation of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which occurred at Indira Gandhi International Airport on March 24. I urge you to kindly register an FIR against Paljit Singh Paul Lalvani, who was supposed to travel to the US by Air India,” reads the complaint filed by Rajesh Tandon, the Deputy Range Officer, West Forest Division, Delhi.

Tandon added that on the scanning of the baggage of Lalvani, a doubtful image was noticed in one of the suitcases.

Lalvani was handed over to the Customs Officials and they booked him under relevant sections of the Customs Act, 1962.