Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Bihar Fisherman Arrested After Viral Video Shows Dolphin Catch
A fisherman in Bihar was arrested after a video showed him with a dolphin.
The dolphin had reportedly become trapped in his fishing net in the Kosi River.
Officials said he took the animal home and planned to extract its oil.
Villagers warned him that hurting the dolphin was against the law.
He allegedly left the dolphin near the river and ran away.
The video spread online and reached government officials.
The Forest Department and police then searched for and arrested him.
Ganges river dolphins are endangered freshwater animals protected by Indian law.
Police arrested fisherman Birendra Mukhiya in Saharsa after a video of a dolphin catch circulated online.
Officials said the dolphin became trapped in his fishing net in the Kosi River basin.
Mukhiya allegedly planned to kill the dolphin and extract its oil before abandoning it near the riverbank.
The Forest Department registered a named FIR and investigated the incident with Bihar Police.
The endangered Ganges river dolphin is protected under India’s Wildlife Protection Act and is the national aquatic animal.
- Who
- Fisherman Birendra Mukhiya, also identified by officials as Veerendra Mukhiya, was arrested by a joint Forest Department and Bihar Police team.
- What
- He was arrested after allegedly catching a Ganges river dolphin, taking it home, planning to extract its oil, and abandoning it near the riverbank.
- When
- The incident came to light after a video circulated online; the articles do not provide a specific incident date.
- Where
- The incident occurred in the Kosi River basin near Govindpur village in Saharsa district, Bihar; Mukhiya was arrested at his residence in the Darhar area.
- Why
- Authorities acted because the alleged hunting of a protected, endangered aquatic animal may violate India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
- Accused
- Birendra Mukhiya; an official statement spells the name Veerendra Mukhiya
- Location
- Govindpur village, Dharhar panchayat, Saharsa district, Bihar
- River
- Kosi River
- Arrest
- A joint Forest Department and Bihar Police team arrested Mukhiya at his residence in the Darhar area
- Alleged plan
- To kill the dolphin and extract its oil
- Legal action
- The Forest Department registered a named FIR under applicable wildlife protection provisions
- Conservation status
- The Ganges river dolphin is listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and protected under Schedule I of India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
- Estimated population
- Around 3,500-4,000 Ganges river dolphins remain, according to the article
