The Kerala High Court has dismissed a PIL challenging the order issued by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and the Chief Wildlife Warden. The order directed the authorities to take appropriate measures, including shooting, in dealing with the tiger that attacked and partially consumed a farmer in Wayanad.
On December 9, 2023, authorities discovered the body of the deceased farmer 500 meters away from the forest stretch. The petitioner opposed the Chief Wildlife Warden's order to shoot the tiger if capturing and tranquillizing it were not feasible.
Chief Justice A.J. Desai and Justice V.G. Arun not only dismissed the plea but also imposed a cost of Rs. 25,000/- on the petitioner, Animal and Nature Ethics Community (ANEC). The Court indicated that the PIL might have been filed with ulterior motives.
The Court observed that the impugned order had been issued after careful consideration of various communications and expert committee reports. The dismissal of the plea was accompanied by the directive to deposit the imposed cost with Legal Aid within two weeks from the date of the order.
Picture Source :
