The Chhattisgarh High Court has taken a stern stance following media reports of suspected poaching of a tiger and a leopard in the state. On Tuesday, the court directed the state's top forest and wildlife official to personally explain the incidents, which appear to contradict earlier government assurances.
Court's Stern Directive to Forest Department
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru expressed deep concern over the developments. The bench found the reports disturbing, especially since the state government had previously informed the court that no new cases of wildlife poaching had emerged. The matter was originally scheduled for a hearing in March 2026, based on the state's submission during the last hearing on December 10. However, the court decided to prepone the hearing after reading detailed reports in The Times of India and several Hindi newspapers.
Disturbing Details of the Tiger's Death
The court took specific note of a report concerning a tiger carcass found in the Revti forest of the Ghui range under the Surajpur forest division. The body bore severe injuries, and its canines and claws were missing, strongly indicating poaching. According to the reports, villagers first discovered the carcass and alerted forest officials. A team including officials from the ranger level up to the chief conservator, along with veterinarians, subsequently visited the site.
The tiger's body was in an advanced stage of decomposition, suggesting the animal died three to four days before it was found. Investigators reportedly discovered sharp weapons near the site, suspected to have been used to extract the animal's teeth and nails. To aid the probe, sniffer dogs and experts from Guru Ghasidas National Park and Kanan Pendari were called in. A post-mortem examination was planned following an inspection by wildlife experts.
Another Case: Leopard Found Dead in Khairagarh
The bench also examined another alarming report from Khairagarh. Here, an adult leopard was found dead under suspicious circumstances in Banbod village, located between Khairagarh and Dongargarh. The carcass was discovered on revenue land near the forest, causing panic among local residents. Crucially, the leopard's claws, nails, and jaw teeth were missing, pointing towards organised illegal hunting.
State's Contradiction and Court's Order
Observing that the incidents were "very serious in nature" and prima facie contradicted the state's earlier submissions, the bench issued a clear directive. The court ordered the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF)-cum-Wildlife Warden to file a personal affidavit. This affidavit must respond specifically to the facts presented in the news reports and detail the steps taken by the forest department to investigate these incidents and prevent such crimes in the future.
The court's intervention underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for accountability and action in protecting Chhattisgarh's endangered wildlife.
