(IN): Troubles of Czech scientists far from over

July 29, 2008

of-Czech-scientists-far-from-over/341810/

With no money in their pockets, troubles of Czech scientists far from over

**

Kanchan Chakraborty*Posted online: Tuesday , July 29, 2008 at 03:01:40

Updated: Tuesday , July 29, 2008 at 03:01:40 *

*Kolkata, July 28* With very little money in their pockets and their

movements restricted to Darjeeling, the ordeal of the Czech scientists is

far from over even after their release on bail.

The Forest department had seized more than Rs10,000 as well as $300 and euro

300 from them at the time of their arrest. With practically no money with

them, they have been paying hotel bills with their credit cards. After their

release from jail on Friday evening they checked into a hotel in Darjeeling.

In an exclusive interview over telephone, Petr Svacha and Emil Kuchera said

they were not aware that they were violating the law by collecting larvae

and insects from the forest area of Srikhola which was not part of the

national park.

" We thought that the Wildlife Protection Act was applicable inside national

parks or reserve forests only, " said Svacha. He added, " We collected the

insects out of curiosity, and not for research purposes.

According to Svacha, " We will have to remain in India till the end of the

trial. We do not know when it will come to an end. " The ACJM court in

Darjeeling directed the two scientists to remain in Darjeeling sub-division

while granting them bail on Friday.

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