Rajasthan forest dept arrests alleged mastermind behind mass Chinkara poaching in Jaisalmer

JAISALMER: The Forest Department has arrested the alleged mastermind behind multiple cases of poaching of protected “Schedule I”Chinkara deer in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district. The accused, identified as Kishannath, son of Roomalnath Jogi, a resident of Biliya village in Pokaran, was arrested by a special team formed under the Chhayan Forest Range.The accused was allegedly involved in the hunting of more than a dozen Chinkara deer in the Army’s restricted Field Firing Range area of Pokaran in March 2026, along with another poaching case reported in February 2024. So far, seven accused poachers have been arrested in connection with the cases, including three who were arrested recently and are currently lodged in jail.Deputy Conservator of Forests Kumar Shubham said that on March 9, 2026, the Forest Department received information from an informer regarding Chinkara poaching near Mawa village inside the Army-restricted Field Firing Range under Chhayan Range. Acting on the information, the Forest Department team recovered remains of seven different dead Chinkaras from the spot and registered a case under Sections 9 and 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.Considering the seriousness of the case, a special investigation team was formed under the guidance of Chief Conservator of Forests, Jodhpur, Anoop K.R., and Conservator of Forests, Jaisalmer, Kumar Shubham. The team was led by ACF Pokaran Chandrashekhar Kaushik and Regional Forest Officer Laxman Swami of Chhayan Range.During intensive investigation and questioning in the area, the team arrested three accused poachers on April 10, 2026 — Nararam Bhil of Bhakhri village, Mohanram Bhil of Pokaran, and Munaram Bhil of Ramdevra. All three are currently in judicial custody.Subsequently, Deepa Ram Bhil of Pokaran, accused of purchasing Chinkara meat from poachers and supplying it further, was arrested on April 30, 2026. Another accused involved in meat supply, Dalaram Bhil of Pokaran, was arrested on May 6, 2026.During the investigation, Rahul alias Rawalram Bhil of Ramdevra was also arrested in connection with the February 2024 Chinkara poaching case in the Pokaran Field Firing Range area.Kumar Shubham further stated that the special Forest Department team arrested the main accused and alleged mastermind Kishannath Jogi on Wednesday. Based on his disclosure, officials recovered the gun, motorcycle, knife, torch and rope allegedly used in the poaching activities.The accused also led the team to various locations from where remains of nine Chinkaras allegedly hunted by him were recovered, including skulls, horns, hides and bones.The investigation is currently continuing under departmental custody, while the Forest Department’s special team is conducting raids to trace other absconding accused involved in the poaching racket.Forest officials including Forester Jhamku, Assistant Forester Jagdish Mehdhu, Forest Guards Ramkishore Jakhad, Ashok Ratnu, Kavita Swami, Moolsingh Jodha, Mohammad Ramzan and other personnel played an important role in the investigation and arrests.