311 Rare ‘Indian Tent Turtles’ Seized from Train, AC Coach Attendant Arrested for Wildlife Smuggling

Bhopal: In a major crackdown on wildlife trafficking, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Forest Department have seized 311 rare Indian Tent Turtles from the Patna–Indore Express (19314) in Bhopal. The shocking part of the case is that the key accused turned out to be the AC coach attendant, who was allegedly transporting the turtles hidden inside bags for a small amount of money.

The seizure was made at Sant Hirdaram Nagar (Bairagarh) railway station, where RPF personnel acted on suspicion and conducted a search operation. During the inspection, the RPF arrested Ajay Singh Rajput, the attendant of AC coach H-1, who was found carrying two bags concealed under his seat.

Upon opening the bags, officials discovered 311 small turtles, packed in an extremely inhumane manner. The turtles were identified as Indian Tent Turtles, a rare species known for its distinct shell shape that resembles a tent.

Smuggling Done for Just ₹2,500

According to officials, the accused admitted during interrogation that he became involved in the illegal act for merely ₹2,500. He revealed that the bags were handed over to him by an unidentified person in Lucknow and were meant to be delivered in Dewas and Indore. He was allegedly promised ₹1,000 for delivery in Dewas and ₹1,500 for Indore.

The suspicious movement was noticed during routine checking by ASI Hemant Kumar Rajput and another official, following which the bags were recovered from the attendant’s cabin, hidden among bedroll items.

Why Are These Turtles in High Demand?

Wildlife experts believe that Indian Tent Turtles are trafficked for multiple reasons, including superstitions and Feng Shui beliefs, where they are considered a symbol of good luck. They are also illegally used in traditional medicine, and there is demand for their meat in international markets.

STSF Takes Over Investigation, Inter-State Gang Suspected

Given the seriousness of the case, the investigation has been taken over by the State Tiger Strike Force (STSF). Authorities suspect that the seizure may be linked to a large inter-state wildlife smuggling network, operating across states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, with illegal supply routes extending to Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Officials have stated that further investigation is underway to identify the main suppliers and the wider trafficking chain involved in the operation.