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Czech researcher flees without passport

Darjeeling, Oct. 27

The Czech national, who had been sentenced to three years of imprisonment for collecting beetles from a national park, has fled the country without his passport.

A court order prevents him from leaving even Darjeeling district till the case is disposed off. Emil Kucera, who was out on bail so that he could appeal to a higher court, told The Telegraph over the phone from the Czech Republic that the "absurdity" of the case had prompted him to flee.

"Yes, I am in the Czech Republic now," the Czech forester said after he was tracked down on one of his close friend's cell phone. "Why (I fled)…is an interesting question. There are no human rights there. The case was absurd. How could two people involved in the same case get two different judgments?"

Questions have arisen as how the Czech forester crossed the border as his passport is still in the court's possession. There is a possibility that he had probably used the Nepal route, as the border there is porous. Earlier, it had come to light that he had used three different passports to enter India during his five visits between 1999 and 2008.

Along with entomologist Petr Svacha, Kucera had been arrested on June 22 for collecting beetles from Singalila National Park, about 90km from here, without valid documents. While Svacha was let off with a fine of Rs 20,000 and was described as a "victim of circumstances" by the chief judicial magistrate, Kucera was awarded three years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 60,000.

Kucera's lawyer T.K. Pandit said he was unaware of the development. "If he has already left the country, it is most unfair. Two of my juniors who were his guarantors will now have to pay Rs 6,000 to the court as fine. They had last met Kucera on October 16…."

Vladislav Malý, the president of Czech Entomological Society, also emailed a letter to The Telegraph confirming that Kucera had reached Czech Republic (his exact location has not been revealed). A statement from Kucera, on the lines of what he said over the phone, has been attached to the mail. "With regard to the fact that I have had the feeling of not getting right for just court in Darjeeling I have decided to solve that difficult situation by my leaving. Nowadays I am in the Czech Republic (sic)," the statement reads.

Kucera has also apologised to the ministry of foreign affairs of his country and the Czech Embassy in India for the problems they might face because of his decision.

"He had appealed to the sessions court against the judgement of the CJM and his next date of hearing was scheduled for November 6…A warrant can be issued by the court and the help of Interpol could be taken to bring him back to India," said Pandit.

Kucera and Svacha had shifted to a new hotel on October 12 after staying in another for three-and-a-half months. "They were on a daily rent of Rs 400. On October 21, Svacha left our hotel and the next day Kucera said he was going to Kurseong. He did not take any of his belongings (two bags) and we thought he would be return," said a hotel employee.