Leopard electrocuted in Goenka’s mine in Jabalpur:Post-mortem reveals 18 claws and 4 teeth removed; investigation underway under Wildlife Protection Act 1972

A leopard was found dead inside the Nisarg Ispat Private Limited factory premises in Sihohra, Jabalpur, owned by mining businessman Mahendra Goyanka. The post-mortem conducted on Sunday revealed that the animal had died due to electric shock. According to the Forensic Lab of Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary College, School of Wildlife, after the leopard’s death, 18 claws and 4 canine teeth were removed. Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Rishi Mishra confirmed that the leopard’s body was cremated after the post-mortem. A case has been registered under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the investigation is ongoing. A dog squad from Kanha Tiger Reserve, Mandla, is assisting in searching the factory and the surrounding areas. The Regional Tiger Strike Force is also involved in the investigation. Discovery of multiple animal bodies at the site On early Saturday, the forest department received information that animal bodies had been buried on the premises of the factory farmhouse. Upon arrival, DFO Rishi Mishra and his team dug up the site using a JCB, discovering four wild boar carcasses and one leopard carcass in five different locations within the 250-acre farmhouse area. Employees suspended and arrests made Following the incident, two employees were suspended for negligence. Additionally, three individuals have been arrested in connection with the case: Sources indicate that the forest department will soon question factory owner Mahendra Goyanka as part of the investigation. Leopard and wild boars buried after electrocution The forest department received tips that factory employees were hunting wild boars within the farmhouse area. The investigation revealed that two wild boars were electrocuted and then buried using a JCB to destroy evidence. Negligence leads to suspension of officials DFO Rishi Mishra suspended Deputy Ranger Yadavendra Yadav and Beat Guard Jitendra Agrawal for delays and negligence in the investigation. Both have been reassigned to other territories. The DVR recording from CCTV cameras at the site mysteriously got destroyed, raising suspicions of a deliberate attempt to erase evidence. Ongoing investigation and searches The remains of the leopard and wild boars are currently undergoing forensic examination. Teams from Sihohra, Kundam, and Panagar ranges are conducting continuous searches in the area. During a dog squad search, another wild animal carcass was recovered. The age and species of the animal will be determined after the post-mortem. Past incidents at the site Sihohra’s Ghughra Industrial Area has a history of wildlife poaching incidents. On October 14, two wild boars that had wandered from the forest were killed inside the factory and buried onsite. Following that incident, three factory employees were sent to jail. After the leopard’s death, the factory management is again under scrutiny. Forest department officials stated that the electrocution case is being investigated thoroughly, covering all aspects of animal death, evidence tampering, and negligence.