In a landmark judgement for wildlife law enforcement in India, a Delhi court has convicted a Jaipur-based art gallery owner for attempting to illegally export Shahtoosh shawls made from the hair of the endangered Tibetan Antelope.
The Chief Judicial Magistrate at Rouse Avenue District Courts delivered the verdict against Syed Shahid Ahmed Kashani, proprietor of an art gallery in Jaipur, on March 12, 2026, bringing closure to a case that began in December 2008.
Shahtoosh shawls are derived from the hair of the Tibetan Antelope, also known as Chiru, which is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Trade in Shahtoosh is strictly prohibited in India and has also been banned globally under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) since 1975.
The case is notable for being the first wildlife offence prosecuted through the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), highlighting extensive coordination among multiple agencies over nearly 17 years.
The case was detected at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, where the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) identified 1,290 Shahtoosh shawls in an export consignment. A complaint was subsequently filed with the CBI in February 2009.
Forensic examination by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, confirmed the presence of Tibetan Antelope hair in several of the seized shawls, providing key scientific evidence in the case.
The investigation involved coordinated efforts by the WCCB, CBI, Customs Department, and WII, ensuring proper evidence collection, preservation, and prosecution.
During the trial, the accused claimed that he had purchased only machine-made Pashmina shawls and denied any involvement in illegal activity. However, the court rejected these arguments and upheld the forensic findings.
The court sentenced the accused to three years of simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000 under relevant provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act. Additional concurrent sentences of two years each were also awarded under other sections of the Act. The seized shawls have been ordered to be confiscated as government property.
The case underscores the importance of sustained inter-agency coordination in tackling wildlife crimes and reinforces India’s commitment to protecting endangered species through strict enforcement of conservation laws.
