IDUKKI: Under intense pressure from various quarters, including elephant lovers, the Forest Department on Friday registered a case against Tissin J Thachankary, owner of Thachankary Estate, in connection with the electrocution of a she elephant at Chinnakkanal the other day. The Forest officers decided to register the case after the post-mortem examination confirmed the death was owing to electrocution after the elephant came into contact with the electric fencing of the estate.
The Forest authorities arrested, Shijo, 34, of Methuruthi house, Udumbanchola, an estate supervisor. He has been charged under various sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and will be produced before court on Saturday. Assistant Forest Veterinary officer Dr Abdul Fatah told Express electrocution was the sole reason for the death of the elephant. “No abnormalities were found on the elephant’s body.
It is a clear case of electrocution,” he said. The post-mortem examination was conducted in the presence of Narendra Babu, divisional forest officer (DFO), Munnar, Devikulam range forest officer Nibu Kiran and other officials. Devikulam Veterinary Dispensary veterinary surgeon Dr Rahul assisted Dr Fatah.
The Forest authorities have launched an inquiry into the incident. They are also checking whether the estate authorities have secured required permission from the KSEB and the grama panchayat to set up the electric fencing.