Police authorities in Karnataka have registered a criminal case against forest range staff following the fatal shooting of three local residents inside a protected forest zone in Chamarajanagar district. The firing occurred during the early hours of Saturday, August 15, in the Mariyamangala forest area under the Hanur forest range. Following an official complaint lodged by the spouse of one of the deceased, the Hanur police station initiated legal proceedings under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the forest department personnel involved in the incident.
Conflicting Claims: Forest Protection versus Cattle Search
The fatal encounter has sparked intense friction between forest administration officials and local village residents. Forest department representatives maintain that the group consisted of armed poachers who had illegally breached the restricted sanctuary boundaries to hunt protected wildlife. Conversely, family members and residents of Mariyamangala village strongly refute these allegations. They state that the deceased were unarmed local farmers and daily-wage laborers who entered the forest area solely to track down livestock that had wandered away during grazing. The incident follows heightening political discussion in the region surrounding wildlife conservation, coming shortly after statements by a Congress MLA regarding hunting activities generated widespread debate.
Timeline of the August 14 Forest Excursion
According to the formal police complaint submitted by Mary, the wife of 50-year-old victim Anthony Samy, the events began on the evening of Thursday, August 14. At approximately 6:30 PM, Anthony Samy ventured into the forest alongside 35-year-old Subastin David Kumar, 43-year-old John Rose Peter, and their relative Joseph Mahimadas. The group set out to locate two cows that had failed to return home after being turned out for daily grazing. After several hours of searching through the terrain proved unsuccessful, the four men decided to stop and rest at approximately 2:00 AM on August 15. They halted near a prominent rock formation located roughly four kilometers deep inside the forest perimeter.
Survivor Details Unexpected Early Morning Firing
A key account of the incident was provided by Joseph Mahimadas, the sole member of the group who managed to escape unharmed. Mahimadas reported that between 3:00 AM and 5:00 AM on August 15, forest department personnel approached their resting spot inside the forest. According to his account, the officials opened fire without issuing prior warnings or encountering any provocation while the men were sleeping on the ground. Mahimadas, who had woken up moments earlier after hearing nearby rustling sounds, managed to flee into the dark forest landscape. He successfully made his way back to the village to inform residents of the shooting. Anthony Samy, Subastin David Kumar, and John Rose Peter suffered fatal gunshot wounds and died on the spot.
Police Investigation and Legal Proceedings
In response to the incident and the formal complaint lodged by Mary, the Hanur police registered an FIR under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertains to murder charges. Law enforcement agencies have commenced a comprehensive inquiry to establish the precise factual sequence leading to the fatalities. Investigators are gathering forensic evidence and interviewing witnesses to evaluate the contradictory statements put forward by the forest authorities and the local community.
