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New Delhi: The Bengaluru Police have arrested a man for allegedly selling the organs of Monitor Lizards, which is a protected species. He was found selling monitor lizard genitalia online, claiming that they helped in solving relationship problems and fixed the love life of individuals. He had a considerable following on social media and boasted of hundreds of clients.
According to a report in the Hindustan Times, the accused was identified as 45-year-old Murthy, who was operating from his residence in Nagashettihalli. His illegal activities were uncovered after an NGO upon receiving special intelligence regarding the man's doings, set up a trap to catch the self-styled godman red handed. An NGO member posing as a potential client reportedly approached him and asked for his help to settle problems in his personal life.
Murthy then showed this 'client' several wildlife articles and also told him how each one could help solve the problems the person was facing. Soon after this the NGO approached the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence. Investigations revealed that the man charged at least Rs 10,000 from his clients for the body parts of rare animals, which he said could help solve problems in their personal life. His targets mainly were people who were emotionally distressed.
The man claimed that the genitalia of the monitor lizard could help in "love attraction, reconciliation between couples, and controlling partners."
Soon after being alerted about the entire racket, sleuths from the Directorate of Revenue and the Bengaluru Police conducted a joint operation and arrested Murthy. After his arrest on Friday, the investigators have seized several animal parts including, 206 monitor lizard genitalia, about 1.5 kilograms of red coral and a tiger skin. He also reportedly sold a red coral as a talisman, saying that it "brought good luck".
A DRI official described the man's act as "a serious violation of the Wildlife (Protection) Act." He said that Monitor Lizards were a protected species and trading any part of it was illegal in the country.
Investigators said that the man used to source these wildlife parts from the Hakki Pikki community in Tamil Nadu and some other part of the country. He reportedly had a huge following and boasted of 25,000 followers on social media. The people mainly approached him for solutions to problems in their personal life and relationships.
Investigations are going on in the matter and authorities are trying to trace his financial transactions. All seized wildlife products have been handed over to the Bannerghatta forest authorities for further examination and documentation.
