NGO Chief Named in India Leopard Skin Smuggling Investigation

Law enforcement officials in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, have intensified their investigation into a significant wildlife trafficking operation after naming Kartik Narayan, CEO of an NGO, as a person of interest in a leopard skin smuggling case. Narayan was subjected to extended questioning spanning 11 hours as investigators sought to establish his alleged connection to the illegal trade in endangered big cat pelts. The case centres on the trafficking of ten leopard skins, a serious violation of India's wildlife protection laws. Smuggling networks operating in the region allegedly provided Narayan's name during their own interrogations, prompting authorities to bring him in for detailed questioning. The development marks a significant escalation in the investigation, suggesting potential links between wildlife trafficking operations and organisations ostensibly involved in conservation work. Wildlife trafficking remains a persistent challenge in central India, where organised networks target protected species for their valuable skins and body parts sold in illegal domestic and international markets. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining the full extent of involvement by all parties identified so far.