4 hunters rape monitor lizard in Maharashtra, record it on phone

In a weird and disturbing crime, four men were reportedly arrested for allegedly raping a Bengal monitor lizard. The incident reportedly occurred at the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra.

The four accused were initially booked on March 31 for illegally entering the Chandoli National Park, and carrying a gun for hunting. During the investigation, forest officials found that the accused had allegedly raped a monitor lizard, and shot it on the mobile phone of one of the accused, as per news agency PTI.

The accused had been placed in forest department's custody, but were later granted bail. They are reportedly facing a case under various sections of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

Bengal monitor lizards are widely distributed across the Indian subcontinent. They are usually 61-175 cms in length and can weigh up to 7.2 kg, as per online portal Animalia.

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