Chikmagalur: A pastor attached to a church in Krishnagiri of Tamil Nadu has landed behind bars in Chikkamagaluru after he was caught by the forest squad while he was trying to sell a fake tiger pelt made out of a calf's skin. Interestingly, the pastor took to deceiving people to raise funds for the church. A spotted deer pelt has also been seized from him.

Inspector Sunil Kumar said on Friday that the pastor, Shanmukham, a resident of Tamil Nadu and residing at Indira Nagar Colony of Chikkamagaluru, was caught by the forest squad on Thursday.

A close look at the tiger pelt revealed that it was a calf's skin that was coloured using hair dyes to make it look like a tiger hide for prospective buyers. The pelt of spotted deer, however, is genuine.

Mr Kumar said the fake tiger pelt was on sale for Rs 8 lakh. Shanmukham, a tribal, belongs to Hakki-Pikki tribe and is familiar with poaching. Shanmukham might have links to sell the pelts, officials said.