Archive · 3 Nov 2025
Turtle Smuggler Sentenced to Four Years Rigorous Imprisonment
A man named Ujjwal Paul was caught by forest rangers in December 2022 because he was trying to smuggle turtles.
Forest rangers found four turtles with him.
One was an Indian Roofed turtle, which is a protected animal and it was sadly already dead.
The other three turtles were alive and were different kinds, including some that are considered exotic.
Because the Indian Roofed turtle is very special and protected by law, it's against the rules to have it.
Ujjwal Paul was taken to court, and recently, he was told he has to go to jail for four years.
He also has to pay a fine of ₹25,000.
If he doesn't pay the fine, he will have to stay in jail for an extra six months.
Ujjwal Paul, a resident of Matigara, Siliguri, has been sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment.
He was caught smuggling turtles in December 2022 in Matigara.
The raid recovered four turtles: one dead Indian Roofed turtle, two Red-Eared Slider turtles, and one Brown Roofed turtle.
The Indian Roofed turtle is a Schedule I species, making its possession illegal.
Paul was also fined ₹25,000, with an additional six months of imprisonment for non-payment.
- Who
- Ujjwal Paul, a resident of Matigara, Siliguri
- What
- Convicted of smuggling turtles and sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine.
- When
- The raid occurred in December 2022, and the sentence was handed down on October 17.
- Where
- Khaprail More in Matigara, Siliguri.
- Why
- Possession of an Indian Roofed turtle, a Schedule I species under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, is illegal. Other turtles were identified as exotic.
- Convicted Individual
- Ujjwal Paul
- Offense
- Smuggling turtles
- Date of Capture
- December 2022
- Location of Capture
- Khaprail More, Matigara
- Sentence
- 4 years rigorous imprisonment and ₹25,000 fine
- Additional Penalty
- 6 months imprisonment for non-payment of fine