KOCHI: A division bench of the High Court has held human life is more important than animals’. The court made the observation on a petition filed by former SI of Tirur T K Mohammed Shafeeque challenging the order of the sub court, Tirur, which said the SI who shot an elephant that ran amok should pay compensation. The High Court quashed the order of the lower court.
The SI shot and killed the elephant on January 6, 1992, when it was brought to his area in connection with the celebration at a mosque. When the elephant ran amok, the SI shot the elephant and killed it as directed by the district collector.
Thaliyil Devaswom, the owner of the elephant, approached the sub court alleging the elephant was killed without sufficient reasons and sought a compensation of Rs 5 lakh. The sub court ordered the district collector and the SI to jointly pay the compensation to the devaswom.
‘’An official concerned has the responsibility to protect people from the attack of a dangerous animal. An officer who is legally permitted to use a gun can use it to protect people. He can kill even a lion if he is left with no option to save people. The officer concerned should act according to the situation,’’ said the High Court.