India, Jan. 21 -- The Satara forest department on Monday registered a criminal case under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 against two individuals for hunting and publicly displaying a Bowmouth Guitarfish (Rhina ancylostoma) - a species listed under Schedule I of the Act and classified as 'critically endangered' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The accused have been identified as Ameer Dastagir Nadaf, a resident of Malkapur, Karad, and Omkar Rajendra Melavane, a resident of Guruwar Peth, Satara.

According to forest officials, the action was initiated following information that the accused had circulated videos and openly displayed the protected marine species. Under Indian law, hunting, possession, exhibi...