An eight-year-old tusker died after coming in contact with a live electric wire in a cashew orchard at Chanutmala village under Muribahal range in Bolangir district.
The incident occurred on April 30, and the post-mortem confirmed electrocution as the cause of death. Following the tragedy, the Forest Department suspended Gudighat Section Forester Jayakrushna Bhoi for negligence and directed him to report daily at the range office.
However, questions have been raised about departmental accountability. Allegations surfaced that acting Range Officer Padmanabh Kumbhar received a clean chit without even a show-cause notice, reflecting leniency by senior officials.
Twenty-two days after the incident, the department filed a chargesheet in court against Muribahal Electricity Department Junior Engineer Mohammad Juned, lineman Ajit Kumar Taria, and orchard owner Sanjib Putel. The court issued non-bailable arrest warrants against them. Despite this, the accused remain absconding, and locals fear they may secure bail easily due to procedural lapses.
Residents expressed strong dissatisfaction, accusing authorities of rushing the chargesheet without arresting the accused. They argued that such actions weaken accountability and undermine justice for the elephant’s death.
