A 49-year-old anti-poaching watcher from Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve was found dead at his home in Kallampalayam, The Nilgiris. Initial claims of an elephant attack were disputed, raising suspicions of foul play.
Coimbatore: A 49-year-old anti-poaching watcher (APW) working in the Vilamundi forest range of Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) died under mysterious circumstances at his home in Kallampalayam, The Nilgiris district, on Friday.
The victim, D. Thangaraj, resided in Kallampalayam habitat, which falls under Thengumarahada village in The Nilgiris, approximately 20 km from the Karachikorai forest check-post in STR. Both Thangaraj and his brother, D. Velumani, 45, were employed as APWs in the range.
Early Friday morning, Velumani informed the Vilamundi range office that Thangaraj had been attacked by a wild elephant while on duty in the Singamalai forest area. He claimed that Thangaraj died in their village while being transported to the hospital.
A ranger and a sub-inspector from Bhavanisagar police visited Kallampalayam to inspect the body. They found only a wound on the back with no other external injuries, raising suspicions of foul play. Subsequent inquiries with villagers revealed discrepancies in Velumani's account.
It emerged that Velumani had fabricated the elephant attack story to claim compensation. Villagers reported that Thangaraj had gone to the bathroom late at night and hadn't returned for over two hours. Velumani discovered him unconscious and, upon confirming his death, contacted the range office.
The body was initially taken to the government hospital in Sathyamangalam before being transferred to the Government Erode Medical College and Hospital in Perundurai. As the incident occurred in Kallampalayam, the Sholurmattam police station in The Nilgiris district was notified.
Forest Department sources suggested that the victim might have died from a cardiac arrest, but the exact cause of death will only be determined after a post-mortem examination. Thangaraj is survived by his wife and a 17-year-old daughter.
The victim, D. Thangaraj, resided in Kallampalayam habitat, which falls under Thengumarahada village in The Nilgiris, approximately 20 km from the Karachikorai forest check-post in STR. Both Thangaraj and his brother, D. Velumani, 45, were employed as APWs in the range.
Early Friday morning, Velumani informed the Vilamundi range office that Thangaraj had been attacked by a wild elephant while on duty in the Singamalai forest area. He claimed that Thangaraj died in their village while being transported to the hospital.
A ranger and a sub-inspector from Bhavanisagar police visited Kallampalayam to inspect the body. They found only a wound on the back with no other external injuries, raising suspicions of foul play. Subsequent inquiries with villagers revealed discrepancies in Velumani's account.
It emerged that Velumani had fabricated the elephant attack story to claim compensation. Villagers reported that Thangaraj had gone to the bathroom late at night and hadn't returned for over two hours. Velumani discovered him unconscious and, upon confirming his death, contacted the range office.
The body was initially taken to the government hospital in Sathyamangalam before being transferred to the Government Erode Medical College and Hospital in Perundurai. As the incident occurred in Kallampalayam, the Sholurmattam police station in The Nilgiris district was notified.
Forest Department sources suggested that the victim might have died from a cardiac arrest, but the exact cause of death will only be determined after a post-mortem examination. Thangaraj is survived by his wife and a 17-year-old daughter.