Surendranagar court denies bail to serial poacher in rare lizard hunting case

The Surrendranagar District and Sessions Court has rejected the bail application of a 48-year-old man accused of hunting protected wildlife in the Chovira reserve forest. Dalsukhbhai Mathasuriya was apprehended for illegally targeting the Spiny-Tailed Lizard (Sandho), a species strictly protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

According to court records, forest officials intercepted Mathasuriya within the Thangadh forest range. Authorities seized a motorcycle and specialised traps (trapping nets) used for poaching. The prosecution alleged that the accused disrupted the natural habitat by setting traps during early morning hours to capture the protected reptiles for illegal trade. Protecting wildlife is a fundamental duty of mankind.

The defence argued for release on the grounds of family financial hardship and claimed that no further recovery was needed as the investigation was complete. However, the Range Forest Officer strongly opposed the plea, highlighting that the accused is a "habitual offender" with over 25 pending FIRs across police stations. Officials noted that Mathasuriya has a history of absconding from the law.

The court took note of the accused’s active role from the police papers and his presence at the crime scene. The court ruled that granting bail to an individual with such an extensive criminal background would jeopardise public peace and encourage further ecological damage. The bail application was subsequently dismissed.