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3-year jail for Czech, compatriot fined

KOLKATA: The two Czech nationals found guilty of violating the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 by smuggling out insects — some of rare species — from the Singalila National Park in Darjeeling, West Bengal, in June, were served separate sentences by a local court on Wednesday.

Petr Svecha, entomologist associated with the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, was fined Rs. 20,000, while Emil Kucera was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment by the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, U. K. Nandy.

“Mr. Svecha got off with a light sentence considering his reputation, while Mr. Kucera, who has been granted bail, will be appealing against the sentence,” said their lawyer, Taranga Pandit.

Czech Ambassador Hynek Kmonicek, who has been in Darjeeling for the past few days, said after the sentence: “We congratulate our citizens and congratulate the Indian legal system as well.”

Speaking to The Hindu over telephone, he said, “we respect the Indian justice system and are satisfied with the result so far”.

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