Cops in guise nab one

Sleuths attached to Forest Mobile Squad in the guise of prospective buyers trapped a smuggler and recovered tiger pelt, besides 13 claws and a set of jaw worth several lakhs of rupees here on Thursday night.

The accused has been identified as Swamy of Bhootanahalli in the taluk. According to the police he along with two others Abhi of the same village and Venkataiah of Navilur had hatched a plan to dispose off the booty.

The investigators who somehow got the scent, contacted the perpetrators and offered them a convincing price for the pelt.

They settled the amount at Rs 10 lakh and summoned the trio to come near a temple in Navilur. When the police resorted to cover the three, Venkataiah and Abhi made good their escape, while Swamy fell in the net. Unfazed, police followed the fleeing duo to a distance.

Venkataiah opened fire in the air from his revolver in a bid to restrain police from coming behind, according to sub-inspector of the squad M C Rajashekar.

SP of the squad Anvekar visited the spot.