From MP forests to Mumbai’s elite: High-end bushmeat racket busted

Updated On: 11 November, 2025 07:05 PM IST | Anushree Gaikwad

The State Tiger Strike Force (STSF) has unearthed an alleged poaching and bushmeat racket in which protected species such as blackbuck, chinkara, and sambar were hunted in Indore and their meat transported across state lines. (PICS/ Pics/MP Forest Department, Illustration by Uday Mohite)

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<p>(From left) Johar Husain Mukri , Imtiyaz Shakeel Khan and Salman Haroon Piyarji with the State Tiger Strike Force (STSF) of the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department. Pic/MP Forest Department</p>

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(From left) Johar Husain Mukri , Imtiyaz Shakeel Khan and Salman Haroon Piyarji with the State Tiger Strike Force (STSF) of the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department. Pic/MP Forest Department

<p>During a routine nakabandi in Kishanganj, Indore, on December 3, 2024, police made a shocking discovery after stopping a Mumbai-registered SUV — its boot contained bags packed with 65 kg of bushmeat, along with a country-made pistol and live cartridges</p>

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During a routine nakabandi in Kishanganj, Indore, on December 3, 2024, police made a shocking discovery after stopping a Mumbai-registered SUV — its boot contained bags packed with 65 kg of bushmeat, along with a country-made pistol and live cartridges

<p>The vehicle’s occupants, identified as Imtiyaz, Shakeel Khan (the main accused), Johar Husain Mukri, and Salman Haroon Piyarji, all from Mumbai, were taken into custody for their alleged involvement in the wildlife crime. They allegedly hunted blackbuck, chinkara, and sambar in the forests of Madhya Pradesh</p>

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The vehicle’s occupants, identified as Imtiyaz, Shakeel Khan (the main accused), Johar Husain Mukri, and Salman Haroon Piyarji, all from Mumbai, were taken into custody for their alleged involvement in the wildlife crime. They allegedly hunted blackbuck, chinkara, and sambar in the forests of Madhya Pradesh

<p>During investigation STSF recovers disturbing videos of poachers slaughtering wild animals. Visuals show chopped meat packed in plastic bags</p>

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During investigation STSF recovers disturbing videos of poachers slaughtering wild animals. Visuals show chopped meat packed in plastic bags

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Digital evidence bring shocking facts and hint towards a bigger chain involved

<p>A video recovered from an accused’s phone shows a person running toward a freshly shot animal, naming several others — including Anas, Prasanjeet, Shabuddin bhai, Sarfaraz Lala, Rameez, Usman bhai, Ashgar, Saba, Abdullah, Andy, Zaid, Pappu, Asif, and Umair (Bhiwandi) — now under the STSF’s scanner for alleged links to the wildlife crime</p>

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A video recovered from an accused’s phone shows a person running toward a freshly shot animal, naming several others — including Anas, Prasanjeet, Shabuddin bhai, Sarfaraz Lala, Rameez, Usman bhai, Ashgar, Saba, Abdullah, Andy, Zaid, Pappu, Asif, and Umair (Bhiwandi) — now under the STSF’s scanner for alleged links to the wildlife crime

<p>On October 27, 2025, following new leads, the STSF apprehended another suspect, Saba Antule, from Millat Nagar in Andheri West, expanding the investigation further</p>

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On October 27, 2025, following new leads, the STSF apprehended another suspect, Saba Antule, from Millat Nagar in Andheri West, expanding the investigation further

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Investigators suspect a wider interstate racket involved in smuggling bushmeat, animal skins, and other wildlife products

<p>The STSF Indore Unit is conducting further investigations, and more arrests are likely, including that of a trainer who allegedly provided weapon training to the accused</p>

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The STSF Indore Unit is conducting further investigations, and more arrests are likely, including that of a trainer who allegedly provided weapon training to the accused

<p>Investigators are probing whether the accused are part of a larger syndicate or have links to international networks involved in the illegal trade and supply of wildlife body parts</p>

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Investigators are probing whether the accused are part of a larger syndicate or have links to international networks involved in the illegal trade and supply of wildlife body parts

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Was meat from endangered species being served to elite customers — possibly even beyond India’s borders?

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STSF vows to trace every link in the illegal bushmeat chain

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In 2024, Indore police discovered 65 kg of bushmeat in the boot of a Mumbai-registered SUV

<p>Acting on leads, the STSF last month arrested another accused from Millat Nagar, Andheri West. Officials believe the accused may be part of a larger interstate network dealing in bushmeat and wildlife products</p>

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Acting on leads, the STSF last month arrested another accused from Millat Nagar, Andheri West. Officials believe the accused may be part of a larger interstate network dealing in bushmeat and wildlife products

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Imtiyaz Shakeel Khan with blackbuck kill

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From MP forests to Mumbai’s elite: High-end bushmeat racket busted

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Breaking barriers and building pyramids — Women power in action!