THE ASIAN AGE
Sep 07, 2015
Pramod Kumar, New Delhi


The Centre, in a significant move to check the illegal trade and poaching of rare and endangered wildlife species in the country, has advised the authorities concerned to book all criminals involved, particularly those kingpins who control the illegal trade, under the stringent provisions of the Prevention of Money-laundering Act (PMLA).

In an advisory issued to directors-general of police of all states, divisional forest officers and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) said, “There is an urgent need to identify strategies and approaches that can successfully prevent illegal trade in wildlife in the country. In this regard it is essential that the criminals involved are prosecuted and penalised to provide an effective deterrent. There is also a need to ensure, by incorporating anti-money laundering and asset forfeiture components into investigations and prosecutions, that criminals involved in this illegal trade do not benefit from the proceeds of their crimes.”

“As per paragraph 6 of the Schedule to PMLA Act, 2002, section 51 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, read with Sections 9, 17A, 39, 44, 48 and 49B of the said act are scheduled offences. In cases where the authorities under Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, file a prosecution complaint before the concerned court, ED can provisionally attach the proceeds of crime and, after its confirmation by the adjudicating authority, possession of the property would be taken over by the directorate so as to prevent the accused from enjoying the property,” said the advisory. Besides attachment, a separate prosecution for money-laundering would be launched against persons committing the offence, it added. The global illegal trade in wildlife and animal parts  is estimated to be worth $19 billion annually, sources said.

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