Activist seeks SIT probe in death of protected animals

Mumbai: After death of tigress Avni, a petition has been filed in the Bombay high court seeking SIT investigation in the death of protected animals in Maharashtra. The petition specifies that the investigation needs to be carried out in order to ascertain how many protected wild animals were killed in the past ten years. The Bombay high court has asked the state government to file its affidavit up to December 12.

Division bench of Justice Ranjit More and Justice Revati Mohite-Dere was hearing a petition filed by social activist Nitin Deshpande through his lawyer Sujay Kantawala.

Petitioner has given reference of death of Tigress T1-Avni and raised the issue pertaining to death of wild animals in the state. On November 2, Avni was shot dead by forest officers at Yavatmal district. After the incident, the government had received flak from various sections of the society.

Petition requested the court to pass orders keeping in mind clashes between humans and wild animal. It further stated that SIT should be given direction to investigate death of wild animals in the Maharashtra and Goa region.

The petition also brought to notice of the court that due to increasing population and dec-reasing thickness of forest, wild animals were se-en attacking humans. Tiger reserve area’s are also covered by encroachers, therefore wild animals are not protected properly. After hearing this, court has asked the state to file affidavit on December 12.