In a statement to the Czech media issued after returning to his country, Kucera said he lacked faith in the Indian judicial system. “Since I felt that the Darjeeling authorities were not able to guarantee my right to a fair trial, I decided to solve this complicated situation by leaving the country,” read the statement. He added that the long trial had exhausted him physically. “I asked my girlfriend to send me a second set of papers, passport and money. Using this, I crossed over to Nepal and made my way back home.”

Kucera and entomologist Dr Petr Svacha had been tried and sentenced in September for illegally collecting insect specimen from a national park in Darjeeling.

Speaking to The Indian Express from New Delhi, Czech Consul Katerina Vovkova said her Government will not be taking any responsibility for Kucera’s move. She said Kucera had sent an e-mail to the Embassy here upon reaching the Czech Republic. “He said in the e-mail that he apologises for any problems that may have been caused due to his actions... We are yet to receive any intimation on this issue from the Indian Government,” she added. Vovkova said it is normal for a Czech citizen to have several passports.

Kucera’s departure has left his lawyer Taranga Pandit livid. “There is nothing wrong with the Indian judicial system. The manner in which he left, without informing his defence lawyer, is condemnable. The court will be informed about this. Two weeks ago, on October 16, he and Svacha had appeared in court, but the hearing has been postponed to November 6. There was a good chance of success in appeal. I can only express regret over our security system, which makes it possible for a person without a passport to leave the country,” Pandit said on Wednesday from Darjeeling.

Svacha, meanwhile, is in New Delhi where he is undergoing treatment. Darjeeling District Forest Officer Sumita Ghatak said she had no official confirmation that Kucera had indeed left the country. Sources in the District Forest Department said the porous nature of the Indo-Nepal border made it easy for him to cross over.