Udaipur : In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a petition challenging the order to shoot a man-eating leopard on sight in Rajasthan’s Udaipur. The petitioner, arguing before a bench comprising Justice BR Gavai, Justice KV Vishwanathan, and Justice Prashant Mishra, questioned how the man-eating leopard would be identified. He expressed concerns that the order could put tigers at risk and pointed out that individuals were roaming the forest with guns, though the law mandates the use of tranquilizer guns in such situations.
Plea Filed in SC Over Shoot-at-Sight Order
The petitioner urged the court to ensure that leopards are not indiscriminately killed. This plea came following a series of fatal leopard attacks, with the latest incident occurring on Monday when a 55-year-old woman was killed in Udaipur district. The total number of deaths due to leopard attacks in the area has now risen to seven, according to forest officials.
Forest Authorities Issue Order to Shoot Leopard
In response to the increasing fatalities, forest authorities issued an order on Tuesday to shoot the man-eating leopard after proper identification. The order followed the death of Kamla Kanwar, who was mauled by a leopard outside her home in Suawaton ka Gudha while feeding livestock.
Following this directive from Principal Chief Wildlife Warden (PCCF) and Chief Wildlife Warden (CWWF) Pavan Kumar Upadhyay, teams from the forest department, police, and army have surrounded the area where the leopard is believed to be roaming. “Orders have been given to shoot the man-eater leopard in Udaipur,” Upadhyay confirmed.
Efforts to Capture Leopards
In light of the growing resentment among locals, forest authorities have set up cages, installed camera traps, and enlisted the help of the Indian Army to track the leopard. Last month, three leopards were successfully captured from different locations as part of these efforts.
Following repeated incidents, Udaipur forest department officials sought approval from the head office to eliminate the animal.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.