How a pendant could get Suresh Gopi into jaws of law
In his complaint, Hashim had stated that he had seen TV visuals of Gopi wearing the ornament at two functions, one in Thrissur and another in KannurThe Pattikkad Range Forest Officer had summoned Hashim to record his statements.The complainant, who is also an office-bearer of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), sought the confiscation of the pendent as he recorded his statement with Kerala's forest officials on Monday, July 21, reported The Hindu newspaper.Hashim also urged authorities to verify when the ornament worn by the actor was created, apprehending that the ornament could be "manipulated", according to the report.To bolster the investigation, the complainant provided media footage from TV channels showing Gopi wearing the ornament alleged to be made of leopard tooth and requested access to original videos to verify the authenticity of the visuals.SERIOUS DERELICTION OF DUTY: HASIM IN COMPALINT AGAINST SURESH GOPIHashim contended that Gopi's actions were a clear violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. In the complaint, the Congress functionary argued that Gopi, the Minister of State Petroleum and Natural Gas in the Union Cabinet, must explain the origin of the alleged leopard tooth necklace, according to a report in a Kozhikode-based news outlet, Mathrubhumi.He argued that someone sworn to uphold the law cannot be seen flouting it, calling the act a serious breach of constitutional duty.The Pattikkad Range Forest Officer, after issuing a notice to the complainant to appear before him to record his statement, said that any further steps in connection with the complaint would be taken after verifying the complainant's statement and any documents or evidence he gives, reported news agency PTI.SURESH GOPI LIKELY TO BE SUMMONED: REPORTFollowing the registration of the complainant's statement, The Hindu report added, the Kerala Forest department will issue a notice to Gopi asking him to produce the pendant and appear before the Divisional Forest Officer, Thrissur, for an enquiry.advertisementThe Lok Sabha MP will be asked to explain the nature and source of the pendant.Forest authorities will also examine whether the pendant allegedly worn by the BJP MP is an actual wildlife trophy or a synthetic replica.The forest department considers Suresh Gopi's in-person appearance crucial, as only he can provide direct information about the pendant in question, according to the report.He will also have the option of filing a written statement to the questions raised by the enquiry officer.The future course of action will be decided after obtaining his statement, a highly-placed Forest Department source told The Hindu.PICTURE OF GOPI WEARING ALLEGED LEOPARD PENDENT WENT VIRALThe complaint was filed after the Kerala Forest Department in April arrested Malayalam rapper Vedan (Hirandas Murali) for allegedly wearing a leopard tooth pendant.The incident reignited attention to previous controversies involving celebrities and wildlife items — notably, actor Mohanlal's long-standing case involving elephant tusks, and the recent visuals of Gopi wearing a pendant resembling a leopard tooth.A picture of Gopi wearing the alleged pendant resembling a leopard tooth went viral on social media after the Malayalam singer's arrest.advertisementHashim told the Hyderabad-based news outlet South First that after Gopi was seen wearing the alleged pendant during his visit to a temple in Kannur in June, he later appeared at a public event in Thrissur wearing it again."Visual evidence has already been submitted to the state police chief," Hashim told the outlet.WHAT WILDLIFE PROTECTION ACT SAYS ABOUT ANIMAL TROPHIESThe Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 states that only individuals with a valid certificate of ownership are permitted, after the Act's commencement, to acquire, receive, or possess any captive animal, animal article, trophy, or uncured trophy listed under Schedule I or Part II of Schedule II, unless it is inherited.As per the Act, possessing a leopard tooth may attract a jail term of between three and seven years and a fine."The minister has not responded to the complaint. We have not received any request from the police or the Forest Department," Gopi's assistant told the South First in a report published on April 30.Personally, the minister is yet to respond to the allegations.- EndsMust Watch
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