Vikram's Instagram Reel Sparks Probe into CK Ranganathan

A recent Instagram reel posted by popular Tamil actor Vikram has landed his daughter's father-in-law, prominent businessman CK Ranganathan, in trouble with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department. The reel showed Vikram cuddling a young lar gibbon, a species native to the forests of Malaysia and Indonesia.

The lar gibbon is an endangered species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and India's Wildlife (Protection) Act. According to official documents, the monkey was brought from Manipur to Erode in June and then transferred to Ranganathan last week, along with three other exotic monkeys.

Activists believe that this is evidence of the monkey being trafficked from Southeast Asia through the land route to India. Erode dealer SK Keshavanathan confirmed that the monkeys were meant for Ranganathan, whom he called a close associate.

Ranganathan's manager said he would respond to the allegations but did not answer calls later. Sources said that the monkey has been sent back to Erode. Vikram deleted the reel on Monday, and representatives of Ranganathan met Chennai Wildlife Warden Yogesh Kulal a few hours later.

Kulal stated that the department would initiate an inquiry into the matter. As per rules, lar gibbons are protected under Schedule IV, Appendix I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, and individuals owning them need to provide complete documents showing when they were purchased, the necessary permissions, and import documents.

However, Ranganathan does not have the necessary clearance as of now. An internal document shows that the transfer proposal on the Parivesh portal is still pending with the Chief Wildlife Warden.

An analysis by wildlife trade monitoring body TRAFFIC found that India has emerged as an important node in the global gibbon trafficking trade. Multiple seizures have been made by Customs authorities in Chennai, Mumbai, and Bengaluru from smugglers who bring the animals from Thailand and Malaysia.

The Tamil Nadu Forest Department's inquiry into the matter is ongoing. The department will investigate how the lar gibbon was brought to India and whether Ranganathan has the necessary documents to own the animal.

The incident highlights the need for stricter laws and enforcement to prevent exotic wildlife trafficking in India. The country has seen several cases of animal trafficking in recent years, and it is essential to take strong action against those involved in such activities.

The probe into Ranganathan's involvement in exotic wildlife trafficking is a significant development in the case. It remains to be seen what action the Tamil Nadu Forest Department will take against him.

In conclusion, the Instagram reel posted by Vikram has sparked a probe into CK Ranganathan's involvement in exotic wildlife trafficking. The incident highlights the need for stricter laws and enforcement to prevent such activities in India.

The Tamil Nadu Forest Department's inquiry into the matter is a step in the right direction, and it is essential to take strong action against those involved in exotic wildlife trafficking.

The case is a reminder of the importance of protecting endangered species and preventing animal trafficking in India.

The investigation is ongoing, and it will be interesting to see what action the authorities take against Ranganathan and others involved in the case.

The incident has sparked a debate about the need for stricter laws and enforcement to prevent exotic wildlife trafficking in India. It is essential to take strong action against those involved in such activities to protect endangered species and prevent animal trafficking.

The Tamil Nadu Forest Department's probe into the matter is a significant development in the case, and it remains to be seen what action the department will take against Ranganathan and others involved.

The case highlights the importance of protecting endangered species and preventing animal trafficking in India. It is essential to take strong action against those involved in such activities to prevent the exploitation of animals.

The investigation is ongoing, and it will be interesting to see what action the authorities take against Ranganathan and others involved in the case.

The incident has sparked a debate about the need for stricter laws and enforcement to prevent exotic wildlife trafficking in India.

It is essential to take strong action against those involved in such activities to protect endangered species and prevent animal trafficking.

The Tamil Nadu Forest Department's probe into the matter is a significant development in the case, and it remains to be seen what action the department will take against Ranganathan and others involved.

The case highlights the importance of protecting endangered species and preventing animal trafficking in India.

It is essential to take strong action against those involved in such activities to prevent the exploitation of animals.

The investigation is ongoing, and it will be interesting to see what action the authorities take against Ranganathan and others involved in the case.