After spotting the axis deer with a leg injury by the local Seuti River on Monday evening, a police patrol team had coerced a local resident to carry it to his house on a motorcycle, and had butchered the animal there, police sources said.
As per the National Park and Wild Life Conservation Act (1973), if convicted, they will face a fine up to Rs 10,000 or face imprisonment up to two years or both.
The police team comprising including Sub-inspector Kamal Karki, Assistant sub-inspectors Ganesh Shrestha and Durga Limbu, Constable Chandra Karki, and personnel Gyan Bahadur Basnet, Raj Kumar Shrestha, Nirmal Magar and Pasang Tamang had 7 kilograms of venison. [break]
It is not clear as to what happened to rest of venison as the deer reportedly weighed around 30 kilograms.
After the other police personnel stationed in the post came to know about the incident they themselves approached the media persons in the district on Monday night to "expose the matter".
Karki, however, has denied his involvement in the incident.
"I have heard that some police personnel on duty in collusion with locals have eaten venison. We are investigating the case," said he.
"Constable Chandra Karki and personnel Nirmal Magar are found to be involved in the incident so far," he added.
Constable Karki has also pleaded not guilty.
Itahari´s range post, which adjoins the police post, however, is caught napping in the incident.
"If you publish news along with the proof, we will surely take action against the guilty," Phul Raj Chaudhari, head of the range post, told reporters.
Laxman Giri, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and spokesperson at the District Police Office, said that action would be taken against the police personnel involved in the incident after investigation.
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