Archive · 22 Nov 2025
Fifth Arrest in Blackbuck Poaching Case: Madhya Pradesh's First
A man from Madhya Pradesh was arrested for helping others poach blackbucks on his farmland.
This is the fifth arrest in a case that started when police found 65 kg of blackbuck meat.
The poachers were part of a big network that hunted and sold wildlife meat to rich people.
Azad Singh Solanki, a resident of Shajapur district, arrested
Blackbucks hunted on his farmland, which is government revenue land
Admitted to Imtiaz Khan and Salman Piyarji carrying out killings in his fields
Criticism faced by STSF over slow pace of investigation
Case dates back to December 3, 2024, with 65 kg of blackbuck meat seized
- Who
- Azad Singh Solanki, Imtiaz Khan, Salman Piyarji, Johar Hussain, Sabah Antulay
- What
- Poaching of blackbucks and other protected species
- When
- December 3, 2024 (initial seizure), October 29, 2025 (latest arrest)
- Where
- Madhya Pradesh (Shajapur, Vidisha, Rajgarh, Raisen, Guna, Mumbai)
- Why
- To supply wildlife meat, skins, and horns to wealthy clients
Prosecution
Defense
Evidence
Prosecution
Mobile phones with photos/videos of poaching, call detail records
Defense
Lack of concrete evidence linking the accused to the poaching
- Total meat seized
- 65 kg of blackbuck meat
- Species hunted
- Blackbucks, chital, chinkara
- Arrests
- Five so far
- Weapons seized
- Country-made pistol, Swedish rifle, live cartridges
- Investigating agency
- State Tiger Strike Force (STSF)