Noted Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who was arrested on Tuesday and sent to six days of police custody, also faces a wildlife case.

An FIR was filed against him in January 2023 for housing four bar-headed geese in his farmhouse in T.

Narasipura in Mysuru.

The FIR was filed against him, his wife Vijayalakshmi, and property manager Nagaraj.

Despite being sent five summons, he has not appeared before the investigating officers, according to an investigating official.

A senior official from the forest department admitted that it is unfortunate Darshan has not been arrested.

The file got buried after the investigating officer got transferred, and the current official did not take up the case.

The forest department has sought a detailed explanation on this matter.

The bar-headed goose is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Housing or catching them is an offense as per the rules, and when arrested, it is a non-bailable offense.

Since the people involved are celebrities, they are being given time and have not been forcibly picked up as they are not absconding, said the investigating official.

Officials from the forest department, Bengaluru circle, had served him a notice and checked his house.

Darshan had previously produced a claw, which upon investigation was found to be fake, the official said.

It may also be recalled that Darshan was the brand ambassador of the Karnataka forest department in 2021.

The forest department officials stated that they are not keen on involving him again with the department.