‘Tiger claw’ pendant: Min Hebbalkar home searched

The son of women and child welfare minister Laxmi Hebbalkar in Karnataka, India, was seen wearing a pendant believed to be made from a tiger claw. Forest department officials visited the minister’s residence to investigate the matter, and the pendant has been handed over for testing. Minister Hebbalkar denies that the pendant is made from a tiger claw, stating that it is made of plastic and was a gift. She supports the forest department’s initiative to prevent the sale and possession of products made from wild animals. A committee has been formed to raise awareness on the issue.