Ranthambhore's most wanted poacher Jugraj today surrendered before the Special Operations Group of Rajasthan police in Jaipur even as the National Tiger Conservation Authority (TCA) wrote to the state's Principal Chief Conservator of Forest to look into the alleged poaching of two tigers inside the park on August 8.

Speaking to The Indian Express hours before the surrender, Jugraj said he knew some Moghiya poachers were active this August. "A few of them came from Raghunathpura (Madhya Pradesh) and were moving inside the jungle for tigers during July-August. But I can't say for sure if they got any," he said.

After surrendering at former Rajasthan DGP Shantanu Kumar's residence in Jaipur, Jugraj said: "I have killed three tigers. I understand it's a crime and am tired of running away. Given an opportunity, I will protect the forest rest of my life."

Wanted for more than a year, Jugraj belongs to Uliana near Ranthambhore. He was eventually traced and convinced by TigerWatch field officers Dharmendra Khandal and Md Ukil, who accompanied him to Jaipur. TigerWatch, a Ranthambhore-based NGO, assisted Kota police in arresting a gang of poachers last November. Jugraj will be in custody of Sameer Singh, Addl SP Bharatpur (CID).

Earlier in the day, referring to an unsigned petition sent to the TCA last week, member-secretary Rajesh Gopal wrote to PCCF RN Mehrotra. "It has been alleged that field officers had prior knowledge of poaching incident, which is quite disturbing, if true. The matter may be looked into at the earliest," the letter stated.

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