Uddhav Thackeray wants retired HC judges to probe Avni killing

Mumbai: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday demanded an inquiry by retired high court judges into the killing of the tigress Avni. He called the current state government appointed committee a “farce” and attacked forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for the killing of the tigress. Mr Mungantiwar responded by stating that he was ready to face any probe and that he had already asked the chief minister to initiate a probe by five retired judges of the Supreme Court into the case.  

“The committee, which has been appointed by the state government to investigate the killing, is nothing but a farce. People who gave ‘supari’ (contract) for Avni’s killing are the same people who will conduct the investigation now. They are the same people and the state government is trying to project it as an impartial inquiry. A retired justice of the high court must probe this killing. The truth in this case needs to be put before all,” said the Sena chief.

Mr Thackeray also took potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr Fadnavis on the issue. Mr Fadnavis had given Mr Mungantiwar a clean chit in the case. Mr Thackeray said, “The surgical strikes were conducted by the soldiers but you gave credit to PM Modi. Was he there in the team, which fired against the enemy? Then how can you give Mr Mungantiwar a clean chit?”

The forest minister replied to Mr Thackeray’s demand. “Uddhavji is senior leader of our alliance. If he thinks that there is something suspicious and if he is ready to lead then we are also ready to form a committee under his leadership. If he refuses to lead the probe committee, then there should be an inquiry by five retired justices of the Supreme Court. I have already made a similar request to the CM,” said Mr Mungantiwar.

The 5-year-old big cat, Avni, officially known as T1 was shot dead in cold blood on bait without any tranquilizing efforts by Hyderabad-based sharp shooter Nawab Shafath Ali Khan’s son Asghar around 11 pm on Friday.

Avni is survived by her two cubs who are 10 months old. The whereabouts of cubs of T1 are unknown. Avni was first spotted in the forests of Yavatmal in 2012.