Two more crocodiles rescued from bungalow of former BJP MLA: Forest official

Four crocodiles were released at Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday

Updated on: Jan 11, 2025, 11:01:53 IST

By Shruti Tomar

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The Madhya Pradesh Forest Department learned about the crocodiles and other exotic birds at the residence of former BJP MLA Harvansh Singh Rathore following an Income Tax (IT) raid on Sunday at the homes of bidi and construction businessman Rajesh Kesharwani and Rathore in Sagar.

There are chances of presence of more crocodiles in the pond. (Representative file photo)

“Income Tax official raided at the premises of Harvansh Singh. They informed us about the presence of crocodiles. The team reached Rathore’s bungalow in the evening and rescued two crocodiles from a pond. There are chances of presence of more crocodiles in the pond. The water will be pumped out on Saturday to clear the suspicion,” said an official requesting anonymity.

The IT department reportedly has uncovered tax evasion amounting to approximately Rs150 crore.

Officials said a significant amount of gold and cash was found at the residences of Rathore's brother and relatives, who are partners in the business.

A forest team, led by divisional forest officer (DFO) Chandrashekhar Singh, raided Rathore's premises on Friday evening.

They rescued two crocodiles initially, while two more were recovered from the pond on Saturday after the water was pumped out.

“All four crocodiles were released into a river in the Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary after a medical check-up. The crocodiles are estimated to be 8–10 years old,” said DFO Chandrashekhar Singh.

Also Read: Much ado at Delhi zoo as two crocodiles escape enclosure

However, a close aide of Rathore said the pond is located at the adjoining to a temple which was donated a few years ago.

“Even, the family wrote to forest department about the crocodile in the pond in 2014, the forest department didn’t act,” he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shruti Tomar
I have spent over a decade chronicling Madhya Pradesh’s political and social landscape, covering politics, investigative journalism, crime, human interest, and government policy, blending sharp insight with ground‑level depth. I have closely tracked three assembly elections, three Lok Sabha elections, leadership transitions in MP while exposing governance lapses, tender irregularities, and flawed policy rollouts. My reports have revealed gaps in the Cheetah project, irregularities in medical education, rigging in recruitment exams, and loopholes in policy implementation. In crime reporting, I have moved beyond FIRs to map systemic patterns — from organised crime networks and gender‑based violence to custodial accountability — balancing urgency with sensitivity. My journalism is defined by a commitment to human interest. I have profiled the marginalised Bancchda community, documented atrocities against tribal groups, and highlighted efforts to preserve their culture through heritage liquor and revival of spiritual practices. I have reported on farmers struggling with failed MSP promises, giving voice to those often reduced to statistics in policy files. Passionate about field reporting, I have reported on rampant sand mining in Chambal and Narmada, pharmaceutical companies supplying medicines under altered names, the dire condition of schools and colleges, the plight of commercial sex workers, and skewed sex ratios in specific districts. Beyond deadlines, and as HT’s state correspondent and assistant editor in Madhya Pradesh, I engage with ministers, farmers, students, and activists, believing the best policy stories begin with a single human voice. A postgraduate in Journalism and Mass Communication, I also hold a diploma in sports journalism.Read More

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