WildlifeTrafficking – Ranchi Hotel Raid Uncovers Illegal Monitor Lizard Body Parts Trade

WildlifeTrafficking –  A significant operation carried out by forest authorities and Ranchi Police has exposed an alleged wildlife trafficking racket operating from a hotel in Ranchi. During the raid, officials recovered 30 monitor lizard hemipenes, commonly referred to as “hatha,” and arrested three individuals, including former   election candidate Rajeev Ranjan Mishra and his son.

Joint Operation Conducted After Intelligence Inputs

According to officials familiar with the investigation, the Forest Department had been tracking suspected illegal wildlife trade activities in the city for several weeks. Acting on confidential information, a special team from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, along with local police personnel, conducted a coordinated raid at a hotel in Ranchi on Thursday afternoon.

The operation was reportedly led under the supervision of Divisional Forest Officer Shrikant Verma. Authorities entered the hotel premises around 12.30 pm and searched multiple rooms linked to the suspects.

Illegal Wildlife Items Recovered From Hotel Room

Investigators said the accused were found inside Room No. 203 during the raid. Officials recovered 30 monitor lizard reproductive organs packed inside a black plastic bag. The seized wildlife parts are believed to have substantial value in the illegal international market.

Forest officials stated that the monitor lizard is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, making the possession, sale, or transportation of its body parts a punishable offence under Indian law.

The arrested individuals were initially detained for questioning before formal arrests were made later in the day. Authorities are now examining whether the suspects were directly involved in a larger interstate or international smuggling network.

BJP Leader Among Those Arrested

One of the arrested individuals, Rajeev Ranjan Mishra, had contested the 2014 Jharkhand Assembly elections from Ranchi on a ticket associated with Babulal Marandi’s political party, JVM. Officials also noted that he has been linked with several religious organisations in the region.

Police sources indicated that investigators are reviewing the backgrounds and communication records of all three accused to identify possible links with organised wildlife traffickers operating across states.

The identity of the third accused has not yet been publicly detailed by officials, as further questioning is still underway.

Investigation Expands Beyond Ranchi

During the investigation, forest officials found that Rooms No. 203 and 206 in the hotel had allegedly been booked under the name Vishnu Kumar Gupta, a resident of Durgapur in West Bengal. Both rooms had reportedly been reserved since May 13.

Authorities suspect the hotel may have been used as a temporary transit point for illegal wildlife products before transportation to buyers or middlemen. Officials are now attempting to trace the origin of the seized items and determine where the consignment was intended to be delivered.

Preliminary findings suggest the case could be connected to a broader wildlife trafficking chain operating beyond Jharkhand.

Ecological Concerns Raised by Experts

Wildlife experts have expressed concern over the continued illegal trade involving monitor lizards, warning that such activities threaten biodiversity and ecological stability. Monitor lizards play an important role in maintaining environmental balance by controlling pests and supporting natural ecosystems.

Conservation groups have repeatedly urged stricter monitoring and stronger enforcement measures to curb illegal wildlife trafficking networks, which continue to target protected species for profit.

Officials confirmed that further investigation is ongoing, and additional arrests may follow based on evidence collected during the raid.