Indian golfer Jyoti Randhawa arrested from Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh on poaching charges

Ace Indian golfer Jyoti Randhawa has been arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department on charges of poaching. The golfer was apprehended in a joint operation conducted by the UP Police and the forest guard in the Motipur region of the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary. [caption id=“attachment_5791641” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Jyoti Randhawa. Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs[/caption] CNN News18 reports that a .22 bore rifle and a pair of binoculars, which are generally used for poaching, was found in Randhawa’s possession. Authorities are interrogating Randhawa and are also investigating whether any animal was poached. The Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary is home to endangered species like the tiger, rhinoceros, swamp deer among others and along with the Dudhwa National Park and Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary, forms the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. The Times of India reports that wild boar skin, range finders, and a vehicle were also seized from Randhawa. The report also claims that Randhawa had killed a jungle fowl on Tuesday. Speaking to TOI, Field Director Dudhwa, Ramesh Pandey said that Randhawa, who owns a farm in Motipur in Katarniaghat, was found driving around the forest in his car which was found to be suspicious by the forest department staff. A professional golfer since 1994, Randhawa plays on the Asian Tour and was once ranked in the top 100 in the world golf rankings.