Chhattisgarh High Court acts on its own after three elephants were electrocuted by a loose wire. It has directed the Energy Department and the Power Distribution Company to report on their corrective measures.
The Chhattisgarh High Court has initiated a public interest litigation after a news article reported that three elephants were electrocuted in Raigarh district due to a loose 11KV live wire. This incident, covered by Times City of Times of India and The Hitavada on October 27, 2024, involved three female elephants, including a calf, that died after touching a low-hanging live wire in the Chuhkimar forest area. The Court noted that the wire was only 3-4 meters above the ground, which is much lower than the required height of 7.5 meters. A Division Bench, led by Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru, ordered the Secretary of the Energy Department and the Managing Director of the Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company to submit personal affidavits. They must explain what actions have been taken to address this issue and what measures have been implemented against the responsible officer. This follows another incident on November 1, 2024, where an elephant died from electrocution in the Takhatpur forest range, as farmers reportedly left live wires in the fields. Additionally, three bears were electrocuted in Kanker on October 10, 2024, and the presence of live wires in forests has led to the deaths of three humans in October 2024, two in Korba on October 16 and one in Ambikapur on October 22.
This news article states that the number of elephant deaths in the state has reached 78 since 2001 due to a recent tragedy. The bodies were found on Saturday morning, with two elephants bent over and a calf lying on its back, as if it had fallen while trying to assist its mother. According to ‘The Hitavada,’ the electrocution happened in a forest department nursery in Chuhkimar village, where the elephants entered a “kacchba enclosure.” Animal advocates and environmentalists blamed the electricity department for being careless. The Sub-Divisional Officer of Gharghora confirmed that three elephants were electrocuted after inspecting the area.
The High Court was informed that on November 1, 2024, another elephant died from electrocution in the Takhatpur forest range, Bilaspur Division, where farmers allegedly left live wires. It was also reported that three bears were electrocuted in Kanker on October 10, 2024, and that three humans died from live wires in October: two in Korba on October 16 and one in Ambikapur on October 22. The State admitted that the wire involved in the elephant deaths was below the allowed limit. The Court was told that actions had already been taken against the Forest Guard and Deputy Ranger, and the Electricity Department had also acted against some officials.
The Court ordered the Energy Department and Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company to provide their own affidavits. These should include details about the actions taken to address the incidents and any measures against the officials involved. The High Court has scheduled the next hearing for November 20, 2024.
Cause Title: In The Matter Of Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation v. Secretary
