The Madhya Pradesh State Tiger Strike Force has uncovered an interstate leopard poaching ring, leading to nine arrests. The investigation now includes Wildlife SOS, a Delhi-based NGO, following allegations that the organization may have staged seizures to build public profile and secure funding. The NGO’s CEO has been summoned for questioning as authorities examine links between key suspects and the group.
Authorities in Madhya Pradesh have dismantled a significant interstate leopard poaching and trafficking network. The operation, led by the Madhya Pradesh State Tiger Strike Force (STSF) in coordination with the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) and the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department, has resulted in the arrest of nine individuals. The probe is now examining potential criminal links involving a prominent Delhi-based wildlife conservation NGO, Wildlife SOS.
The investigation gained traction following a joint operation on July 23 on the Agra-Gwalior Highway, where authorities seized 10 leopard skins. Subsequent interrogations of those arrested led investigators to identify a deeper chain of activity. Two of the apprehended suspects, identified as Bhagwan Singh and Wasim, were allegedly associated with Wildlife SOS. These developments have shifted the focus of the investigation toward the NGO’s internal operations and its role in wildlife protection efforts.
Investigators are currently probing allegations that the NGO may have orchestrated poaching activities or staged seizures to enhance its institutional credibility and secure funding. The STSF has summoned Wildlife SOS CEO Kartick Satyanarayan to appear for questioning on August 17 in Shivpuri. Authorities are scrutinizing digital evidence and internal documents to determine if the organization’s resources were used to support, rather than prevent, the illegal trafficking of leopard body parts.
For institutional donors, corporate partners, and those involved in CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) funding, these allegations represent a significant governance risk. Reputational damage and the potential loss of public and donor trust are the primary concerns if the investigation confirms that a wildlife organization was involved in the very activities it was established to combat. The situation highlights the critical need for rigorous oversight and transparency in the non-profit sector, especially when organizations operate in sensitive environmental areas with significant resource control.
The investigation remains ongoing, with the STSF working to map the full extent of the network, which reportedly spans across Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan. The next key development to track will be the outcome of the questioning of the NGO’s leadership and whether authorities uncover further evidence of systemic involvement in the trafficking chain.