Two young men have been arrested by forest officials in Thiruvananthapuram after a spotted deer skin fell onto the road when the scooter they were travelling on met with an accident.

The incident occurred near Kalluvettankuzhi on the Kazhakkoottam–Karode National Highway in Vizhinjam at around 3.30 pm on Sunday.

The arrested men have been identified as Gokul, 31, alias Jithu, of Vallakkadavu, and Ananthu, 23, of Venganoor.

According to officials, the scooter ridden by Gokul met with an accident on the highway. The impact caused the scooter's seat to come off, exposing the spotted deer skin stored inside it. The skin fell onto the road, drawing the attention of local residents, who alerted the Kovalam police.

When a police team led by the Station House Officer reached the spot, Gokul, who had sustained facial injuries in the accident, fled. He later went to Vizhinjam hospital for treatment.

Forest officials from the Paruthipally range subsequently reached the scene and took Gokul and the deer skin into custody.

Friend arrested 

During questioning, Gokul reportedly named his friend Ananthu, who was later taken into custody.

According to Ananthu's statement to forest officials, he found the deer skin while shifting household items and other belongings from a house in Jagathy. He reportedly said he took it out of curiosity and kept it inside Gokul's scooter.

Forest officials are investigating whether anyone else was involved in the case.

The two accused were produced before the Forest Court and remanded in judicial custody.