Bhubaneswar, Nov 8: The Odisha Crime Branch's Special Task Force (STF) has seized two leopard skins in a Rayagada district raid, leading to the arrest of two individuals involved in wildlife crime. 

The accused have been identified as Bikram Majhi and Raja Majhi, residents of Chandrapur area in Rayagada.

Acting on intelligence received, an STF team conducted a raid at Tampara Bindhuni Chhak, located within the Chandili police jurisdiction of the district. The operation resulted in the apprehension of the two criminals, who were awaiting a customer to transfer the leopard skins. 

Upon searching their possessions, the STF recovered two leopard skins along with other incriminating items. The accused were unable to produce any documentation authorizing their possession of the leopard skins. 

This incident has led to the registration of a case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972. The confiscated skins are set to be sent for examination to the Director of the Wildlife Institute of India in Dehradun.

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