(IN): Bengal: Czech scientists hope for release

July 16, 2008

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*Bengal: Czech scientists hope for release*

Monideepa Banerjie

Wednesday, July 16, 2008 (Kolkata)

On Monday, July 21, a court in Darjeeling will hear the bail plea of two

Czech scientists arrested in June for collecting over 200 rare insects from

a National Park in the area.

Petr Svacha and Emil Kuchera were arrested at the Sangalila National Park in

Darjeeling on June 22 with rare insects in their possession. On July 4, the

Czech embassy pleaded for their bail as they were bona fide scientists

collecting specimens for scientific research.

They were denied bail earlier but since then scientists worldwide and the

Czech embassy have petitioned the Prime Minister and the West Bengal Chief

Minister for their release from jail where they are being forced to cohabit

with criminals.

''Even if they are given bail, they will not be able to leave the country

because their passports have been seized and the law can take it's own

course,'' says their lawyer Taranga Pandit.

But wildlife officials say laws have been violated as the butterflies and

beetles collected are on the endangered list. Also, they have doubts about

the purported research purpose.

''We found a site owned by the forester which claims that he can send

insects by post. That's why we have reasonable doubt that the specimens

might have been collected for selling purposes and not

scientificresearch,'' says forest official P K Bahaguna.

The bail plea of the Czech nationals was rejected on July 9 but scientists

worldwide will be watching the Darjeeling courts on 21st July which is when

their bail plea will be heard again.

--

United against elephant polo

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