Leopard that killed five-year-old girl in Chikkamagaluru, shot dead by Forest Department
Chikkamagaluru: A leopard believed to have killed a five-year-old girl and injured an 11-year-old boy in Tarikere was found dead on Saturday after sustaining a bullet wound during a Forest Department operation to capture it.
Forest officials said the animal was shot in self-defence when it suddenly charged at a staff member who was attempting to tranquilise it near Byrapura village. The leopard had been the focus of an intensive search after two attacks in the region earlier this week. The five-year-old victim, Saanvi, was killed while playing outside her home in Navilukallugudda village near Mundre. On Friday, an 11-year-old boy, Hruday from Byrapura, sustained serious injuries in a separate attack.
Residents of Shivapura, Nandi, Kenchapura, Kenchapura Gate and Byrapura had urged authorities to capture the animal, citing widespread fear. Following approval from senior officials, the Forest Department launched an operation on Friday night after receiving information that the leopard had been sighted near the Byrapura road.
On Saturday, a large team comprising veterinarians from Mangaluru, Bandipur, Bannerghatta, Shivamogga and Tyavarekoppa zoos, a leopard task force from Mysuru, an elephant squad from Chikkamagaluru and three elephants from Sakrebail in Shivamogga joined the operation. The group tracked the leopard to dense bushes near Byrapura.
Veterinarian Dr. Yashaswi and his assistant, accompanied by two armed forest staff, moved in to tranquilise the animal. Officials said the leopard suddenly leapt at one of the staff members, prompting him to fire in self-defence. The injured leopard escaped into the thicket.
The search continued, and the team later found the leopard dead with a bullet wound. The carcass was seized for legal formalities. Local residents expressed relief following confirmation of the animal’s death.
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SIT formed to probe second sexual assault case against expelled Cong MLA Mamkootathil
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe a second case of sexual assault against expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, police officials said on Friday.
The SIT will be led by G Poonguzhali, Assistant Inspector General at the Police Headquarters.
The team also includes a DSP rank officer and sub-inspectors, officials added.
The second sexual assault complaint was received by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, which it forwarded to the state police chief.
ALSO READ: Cong expels rape-accused MLA Mamkootathil from party's primary membership
Following this, the Crime Branch registered a case and launched an investigation.
Crime Branch officials said the email complaint contained only the sender's email ID and no other contact details.
As part of the probe, they have sent a reply email requesting that the complainant contact them and provide her statement.
The complainant has alleged that she was sexually assaulted under the false promise of marriage, a Crime Branch official said.
However, details such as the location and date of the alleged incident are not currently available to the police.
The SIT will attempt to trace the sender of the email and record her statement, which is crucial for further investigation, the officer said.
Mamkootathil was expelled from the Congress party on Thursday after a court here rejected his anticipatory bail petition in another rape case.
Police said he is currently absconding, and a manhunt is underway in Kerala and neighbouring states.
