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NAGPUR/CHANDRAPUR: A team of forest officers from Bhor forest sub-division in Pune district on Saturday interrogated and recorded the statement of minister of state for transport Dharamraobaba Atram at his residence in Aheri in Gadchiroli district.

The forest officials' team was here in connection with alleged Chinkara poaching in Pune in June. Atram, who is also the Gadchiroli district guardian minister, is a prime suspect in the case.

Amidst reports that one of the co-accused in the case was already arrested in Pune, top officials do not rule out the possibility of Atram’s arrest in the poaching case. It could not be known if Atram has already reached Mumbai.

According to his earlier schedule, Atram was to reach Mumbai on Sunday. Top sources hinted that he could be arrested in Mumbai. His car and some material were seized by investigating forest officials recently sending clear signals that the forest minister Babanrao Pachpute, who belongs to the same party as Atram - the NCP - was serious in pursuing the case to its logical conclusion.

Sources said that a team of eight forest officials from Bhor reached Aheri on Friday night and with the assistance of local forest officials went to Atram’s residence on Saturday for investigation.

After spending hours recording the minister’s statement, the team left Aheri the same evening, sources said. Rishikesh Ranjan, assistant conservator of forest, Allapalli forest division, confirmed that a team from Bhor forest sub-division led by sub-divisional forest officer H G Dhumal was in Aheri for interrogation in connection with Chinkara poaching case. Ranjan said he was instructed to assist the team to reach Atram’s residence and provide police backup if necessary.

"My officer escorted the team to the Atram residence, but we have no details about the investigations," said Ranjan. Sources said the officials confiscated few animal skin, trophies and two guns from Atram’s residence.

However, Ranjan expressed ignorance about the forest officials confiscating anything from the minister’s residence.

Talking to TOI, Dhumal said that the guns have not actually been seized but have been taken into custody for investigation purpose. These guns will be sent to ballistic experts for investigation. Dhumal said he could not divulge details of seizure from Atram’s Aheri residence. However, he said the details would be available tomorrow as the investigating officials who went to Aheri were not reachable.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Nagpur/Chinkara_case_Forest_team_quiz...