The wildlife crime control bureau (WCCB) and West Bengal Forest Department are making all-out efforts to bring back Czech entomologist Emil Kucera
Emil Kucera is accused of smuggling rare insects from DarjeelingKOLKATA: The wildlife crime control bureau (WCCB) and West Bengal Forest Department are making all-out efforts to bring back Czech entomologist Emil Kucera, who fled the country while on bail after being arrested for smuggling rare insects from Singalila National Park, Darjeeling, West Bengal.
The agencies are also considering approaching Interpol for Kucera, who was awarded three years in prison by a judicial magistrate in Darjeeling but granted bail by a district court in north Bengal to allow him to appeal in the Calcutta high court.
Sources said the Czech embassy in India had promised WCCB all possible help in extraditing him, adding that the matter had been referred to the Czech foreign ministry.
WCCB and the forest department insisted all future trials of Kucera would be conducted in Indian courts.
Inspector general (law & order) of West Bengal Police Raj Kanojia said since WCCB was handling the matter, state police had no definite role to play in it.
“We are still to receive any orders in this regard. Once that happens, we will do the needful,” he told DNA.
Kucera, who was to appear in court on November 4, 2008, fled the country possibly from Delhi, where he had gone on a visit. He and fellow entomologist Petr Svacha were arrested near Darjeeling with around 200 rare insects on June 22. They were later released on bail.
Legal brains say by feeling, Kucera has further weakened his case. Renowned criminal lawyer K Gupta said by escaping, he had proved his guilt. “If the Czech authorities cooperate, his extradition won’t be difficult. But will they cooperate?” he said.
r_sumanta@dnaindia.net 
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