TIMES OF INDIA (New Delhi) 06 October 09 Miracle' snake rescued, four nabbed

Bhavnagar: Forest department officials caught four youths with an endangered snake species the Red Sand Boa. They were trying to sell the snake for Rs 40,000.

Rumours have been circulating in the market about the snake. People say that after burning the flesh and skin of the reptile in boiling water, if you wear the spine of the snake, it will result in wealth. If the ash of the burnt reptile is rubbed on the forehead and cheeks, it will make a person invisible.

Trying to make a fast buck to splurge during Diwali, the youths three diamond workers and one daily wage labourer travelled to Sidhsar village of Bhavnagar taluka and caught a snake weighing 2.4 kg. They struck a deal with Vijay Babariya for Rs 40,000.

In the early hours of Tuesday, they set out to deliver the reptile to Babariya at his Kumbharwad residence. They were caught on the way by forest officials, who had set up a watch after a tip-off.

The youths had packed the hapless reptile in an airtight bag. Since forest officials wanted to save the snake, they wanted to catch the youths before they made the delivery.

However, Babariya has fled the city. The four offenders are Chetan Makwana, Kamlesh Dabhi, Naresh Solanki and Budha Vegad. All have been booked under Section 44, 48, 2(16) and 2(36) of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and will be presented before the district forest officer (DFO) on late Tuesday to finalize punishment.

Bhavnagar range forest officer KK Bharwad said, "These youths are first-timers and fell prey to superstitious talk that has been going around. The talk has led to a Red Sand Boa weighing three kg being priced at Rs 1.5 lakh."

Bharwad also said that as this snake is a protected species as per sub list 4, the accused will not be produced in court but before the DFO, who will fix the punishment.
Miracle' snake rescued, four nabbed

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