Nagpur, Jan 18
The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Monday asked the state government to submit an affidavit on the killing of man-eater T-1 tigress in Pandharkavada forest reserve in Yavatmal district. The court also raised a question, if the killing happened according to law?
Justice duo Sunil Shukre and Avinash Gharote presided over the proceedings. Mumbai-based Earth Brigade Foundation has filed a PIL in this regard.
Violation of Wildlife (Conservation) Act, 1972, Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984, Standard Operating Procedure issued by National Tiger Conservation Authority and Supreme Court orders.
The petitioners have alleged that, the tigress was killed ignoring the rules laid down by the Supreme Court and High Court. According to the forest department, T1 tigress has killed a total of 13 men and women till date.
Principal chief forester (Wildlife) A K Mishra had issued an order on September 4, 2018 to continue the attempt to capture the tiger alive in unconscious state, but if it failed, it should be shot dead to avoid further loss of human life and the two tiger cubs should be captured alive and sent to the rescue center.
Nawab Shafat Ali Khan, a private shooter, was then appointed to carry out the operation.
Khan’s team killed the T1 tigress on November 2, 2018. Adv Sejal Lakhani, represented the petitioners, while Adv Kartik Shukul represented the forest department.