New Delhi, June 30
The Delhi police has arrested the most wanted person who was allegedly involved in more than 20 cases of poaching and animal skin smuggling registered in five states. The accused has been identified as Sansar Chand, also known as Veerappan of North India.

Sansar Chand, a well-connected poacher who had connections not only in international market, but also with some top bureaucrats and politicians, was wanted not only by the Delhi police, but also the CBI.

A native of Rajasthan, Sansar Chand is the main accused behind the disappearance of the tigers from the Sariska wildlife reserve in Rajasthan. He was today arrested by the crime branch from the Patel Nagar area where he was staying with a family. However the details of the people living with him was still to be verified, the police said.

The Commissioner of Police, Dr K.K. Paul, said Sansar had more than 35 shops in Sadar Bazar and adjoining areas. He also had a number of other properties in his name.

He was twice convicted by the Rajasthan courts and his wife and son were still behind bars. He was an active reader of Rajasthan-based newspapers so as to get daily update of his family that was in jail and also the steps taken by the police to curb poaching. The police is trying to find out the godowns he was using to keep tiger skins.

The accused, reportedly having several hideouts in Delhi, was arrested in Rajasthan earlier and sentenced to five years’ rigorous imprisonment by an Ajmer court in April last year. He was granted bail the very next month which he jumped.