With the Zoological Survey of India confirming that the skin displayed at the popular Sreeleathers outlet in Lindsay Street is that of a blackbuck, the state Forest department has started investigating the racket.

During the interrogation, S Chatterjee, the general manager of Sreeleathers who was arrested on Friday, disclosed that the company procured the skins from a supplier in Rajabazar.

Chatterjee will be produced before the city civil court on Tuesday. The department is yet to raid the supplier, which has been allegedly supplying the skin of deer and antelopes to several leather outlets in the city.

“We are pursuing the case very seriously. Initially, the arrested persons of the footwear major told us that it is cow’s skin,” said Soumitro Dasgupta, Special Chief Conservator of Forest.

“We have received the forensic report confirming that the skin is that of a blackbuck. Possession and procurement of poached skins are banned under the Wildlife Protection Act,” added Dasgupta.

According to him, these skins are sold at a price of more than Rs 10,000.

A spokesperson of Sreeleathers , however, refused to comment on the development.