Chennai: Karnataka foresters had a tough time here when they were summoned to appear before the State Human Rights Commission for arresting and allegedly ill-treating a decoy set up by Tamil Nadu forest department.
A petition had been filed by B Selvakumar of Sirumugai village in Mettupalayam that he was ill-treated and his family members tortured during his arrest by Karnataka field staff of Biligiri Rangan Temple Tiger Reserve (BRTTR) in connection with a tiger poaching case. He contended he was an informer in Tamil Nadu forest department. When the petition came before the State Human Rights Commission Member K Baskaran, the complainant submitted Karnataka officers had no powers in the case as the scene of occurrence was in Tamil Nadu and the accused were also from that State.
The member asked the Conservator of forests, BRTTR S.S. Lingaraju and ranger Chandra Kuma whether the arrest of an informer was not an abuse of power.
Responding, Karnataka foresters demanded time to submit their affidavits. Baskaran observed that arrest of an informer will lead to destruction of leads in offences. The case was adjourned to August for further hearing.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu foresters have written to their counterparts in Karnataka seeking transfer of case, as the poached tiger, and the accused were all coming under the jurisdiction of Sathyamangalam forest division in Tamil Nadu.
