This story is from July 24, 2016

Jadeja to pay for lion shoot

Crorepati Cricketer May Get Away With Paltry 50,000 Fine
Jadeja to pay for lion shoot
Ahmedabad: Preliminary reports of the forest department inquiry over cricketer Ravindra Jadeja taking selfies in Sasan Gir have determined that Jadeja had violated applicable wildlife laws.
Consequently, the cricketer would be booked for violating relevant sections of the Indian Forest Act and is likely to face a fine in the range of Rs20,000-Rs50,000, said officials.
The amount would be decided in consultation with the principal chief conservator of forest (Wildlife), J A Khan, or by chief conservator of forest R L Meena.
The cricketer, who gave his statement in the matter to authorities over the phone, had pleaded ignorance of the law, said officials. He said that he did not know it was illegal to leave the jeep and take photos within a sanctuary area, said sources.
He had stepped out of his jeep during a lion safari, along with his wife Reeva and friends in tow, and took selfies against the backdrop of a pride of lions who were lounging close by. He had visited Gir on June 14 and 15, and uploaded the selfies on social media, which instantly went viral.
"Since Jadeja is a celebrity, and the case is closely followed by senior officials, the field officials are reluctant to leave anything to chance," said a senior forest department officer.
"In a regular case, the local RFO or the DFO may have taken the decision," said the officer, adding, "On May 22, the RFO of Dalkhaniya in Gir East division, Bharat Parmar, had imposed a fine of Rs12,500 on four persons allegedly caught entering Gir National Park illegally."

"The four were on their way from Jamwala to Shemardi, but had stopped midway, parked their vehicle on the roadside, and entered the forest area to get a glimpse of lions. Parmar fined them on the spot and allowed them to go," said the senior officer.
In Jadeja's case a separate inquiry was ordered. The photos uploaded by him on social media showed two forest range officials, Vijaysinh Jadeja and Jaysukh Pankharia, posing with him. Officials said that in this case the maximum fine that can be imposed on the officials would be the deduction of one pay increment amounting to about Rs450 per month. Pankharia may not be affected as he has already retired in the second week of July.
A senior officer argued that Jadeja should have been booked not only for trespassing, but also for disturbing lions under laws for protection of wildlife, but officials in Junagadh are usually compassionate with visitors, and even this case may not extend beyond a fine.
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About the Author
Himanshu Kaushik

Himanshu Kaushik is Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, Ahmedabad. He reports on Wildlife and state government. He takes special interest in reporting on wildlife, especially the lions of Gir. His likes listening to music.

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