Bengal monitor lizard allegedly gang-raped in Maharashtra forest; four held
A video of the alleged gang-rape also found in one of the accused’s phone
Four individuals were arrested for allegedly gang-raping a Bengal monitor lizard in Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra, as reported by a forest official on Wednesday. The incident was discovered in Gothane village, Ratnagiri district, following their arrest for illegally entering Chandoli National Park, part of the reserve, on March 31.
The official identified the accused as Sandeep Tukaram Pawar, Mangesh Kamtekar, Akshay Kamtekar, and Ramesh Ghag. After the investigation, the forest officials found evidence of the alleged sexual assault on the lizard, which was also recorded on one of the accused's mobile phone. The accused were initially held in forest department custody but are now out on bail.
They are required to appear before the investigating forest officer every Monday. The four accused face charges under various sections of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, according to the field director of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, Nanasaheb Ladkat.
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