A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Madhya Pradesh High Court seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the suspected shooting and death of a 19-month-old cheetah cub from Kuno National Park, with the petitioner alleging serious lapses in the monitoring and protection of the animal outside the park's protected boundaries. The petition was filed on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, by Bhopal-based wildlife activist Ajay Dubey through advocates Vinita Ahuja and Aditya Sanghi.

What Happened to the Cheetah Cub

According to the petition, the male cub — born to female cheetah Nirva at Kuno — was found seriously injured on 26–27 October in the Morena Territorial Forest Division, well outside the national park's protected zone. The cub subsequently died. Authorities reportedly found gunshot pellets in the animal's body, raising immediate concerns about poaching or deliberate targeting within a territorial forest area adjoining the park.

The State Tiger Strike Force (STF) has been deployed to investigate the incident. However, the petitioner argues that the case raises wider, systemic concerns about the safety of cheetahs that range beyond Kuno's boundaries and the effectiveness of existing surveillance mechanisms.

Key Allegations and Legal Arguments

'This is not an isolated injury. If a radio-collared cheetah born in Kuno can be found with gunshot pellets in Morena forests and dies, it shows our tracking, field surveillance and anti-poaching response has collapsed outside the park. Only a CBI-led forensic probe can establish the truth,' Dubey said.

The petition invokes Articles 48A and 51A(g) of the Constitution — which deal with the state's duty to protect the environment and citizens' fundamental duty toward wildlife — as well as Sections 9 and 50 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. It calls for scientific examination of the pellets, veterinary findings, and tracking data to establish the circumstances of the cub's death and fix responsibility for any lapses.

Respondents Named and Relief Sought

The petitioner has named the Union government, the Madhya Pradesh government, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change as respondents. The PIL seeks a fair, impartial, and time-bound CBI investigation; an independent review by senior wildlife experts not directly associated with Kuno's management; a risk assessment of adjoining forest areas; and a comprehensive monitoring and protection plan for cheetahs ranging beyond the national park.

The petition also cites a 27 June 2025 press release by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) regarding the alleged busting of an interstate gang involved in the hunting of three tigers and the seizure of 225 claws, pointing to a pattern of organised wildlife crime in the region.

Concerns Over the Cheetah Reintroduction Programme

Referring to India's cheetah reintroduction programme launched at Kuno in 2022, the plea questions the adequacy of coordination between the national park administration and territorial forest divisions, as well as the surveillance of animals entering adjoining areas. 'We are not prejudging guilt, but prevention is as important as investigation. The court must direct a comprehensive protection and monitoring plan for cheetahs ranging beyond Kuno, including emergency response and village-level awareness, so this does not recur,' Dubey said.

The hearing date is yet to be fixed. The outcome of this petition could have significant implications for the future management and expansion of India's reintroduced cheetah population.