Days after assets worth crores and a tiger skin were recovered from his residence in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh tribal department official Jagdish Prasad Sarvate’s elderly mother was arrested by the Forest Department, officials said on Thursday (July 24, 2025). 

In multiple raids between July 22 and 23, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the State Government has raided multiple locations linked to Mr. Sarvate, Tribal Welfare Department’s Deputy Commissioner, Jabalpur, including his residence, recovering allegedly disproportionate assets worth more than ₹6.75 crore. The EOW also recovered a tiger skin, about 5.5 feet long, from his ancestral home in Jabalpur. 

Director General (DG), EOW, Upendra Kumar Jain told The Hindu that while Mr. Sarvate was booked under relevant provisions including the Prevention of Corruption Act, Excise Act, Wildlife Protection Act, the animal skin was handed over to the Forest Department for further action.

“We have handed the skin to the Forest Department as the matter concerns them while we are continuing our searches at other locations linked to him [Mr. Sarvate],” he said. 

Mr. Sarvate’s mother, Savitri Sarvate, 75, was arrested by the Forest Department’s STF on July 23 after she revealed during the questioning that she used to use the skin to sit while worshipping at her home. 

Apoorv Sharma, Ranger, Forest Department, said that she has been booked under various sections of the Wildlife Protection Act. He said that the family has yet to produce any ownership certificate for animal trophy that is required for the legal possession of such items as per the Act. 

“She has said that her father-in-law had brought the skin in 1977 when he was living in Mandla district. She, however, is claiming that she is unaware where the skin was sourced from,” Mr. Sharma said. 

“Since, Mr. Sarvate is currently in the EOW’s custody, we will work in coordination with them and investigate as per directions from senior officials,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Subharanjan Sen, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), said that the department will check government records to verify if the skin is registered before mulling further action.