Synopsis
The reinvestigation report of G. Senthil, a suspected elephant poacher found dead in Tamil Nadu's Dharmapuri forest, is scheduled for submission to the Madras High Court on April 15. This case has raised serious allegations of custodial torture and has ignited significant political controversy.Key Takeaways
- Reinvestigation report to be submitted on April 15.
- G. Senthil was a suspected elephant poacher.
- Body found in Dharmapuri forest.
- Allegations of custodial torture.
- Political controversy sparked by the incident.
Chennai, April 12 (NationPress) The reinvestigation report of G. Senthil, a 28-year-old suspected elephant poacher discovered deceased under suspicious circumstances in Tamil Nadu's Dharmapuri forest, is set to be presented to the Madras High Court on April 15.
Senthil's decomposed body was found on April 3 in the Kongarampatti forest region.
He had previously been arrested on March 17 for his involvement in the poaching of a wild tusker, whose burned carcass was located in the Neruppur forest range.
While his father and brother were apprehended alongside him, they were released, and Senthil subsequently went missing.
A postmortem was carried out on April 6 without the approval of his wife, Chithra, leading her to file a petition with the High Court.
She claimed that Senthil may have suffered torture leading to death while in custody of the forest officials and requested the Madras High Court for a reinvestigation.
Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan ordered a reinvestigation by a team of forensic specialists from three different medical colleges—Salem, Krishnagiri, and Chengalpattu.
The autopsy took place on April 10 in the presence of Senthil's wife and the CB-CID Investigating Officer.
The body has been kept at the Dharmapuri Government Medical College Hospital until the court-mandated report date.
In the meantime, the CB-CID has initiated an inquiry into the case.
A team visited Senthil's village and the location where the body was discovered, gathering evidence and testimonies from family members.
This case has ignited a political controversy.
PMK founder S. Ramadoss has called for a CBI inquiry and compensation of ₹50 lakh for Senthil's family.
He accused the state forest department of custodial torture and raised concerns regarding the delayed reporting of the incident.
He also suggested that foul play may have been involved, indicating that Senthil might have possessed damaging information about forest officials.
Forest officials, however, asserted that Senthil escaped custody and died by suicide.
The High Court is anticipated to make a decision on future proceedings after reviewing the reinvestigation report on April 15.
