Similipal Jumbo Carcass Burning Case: Eyewitness’ Wife Lodges FIR Alleging Murder

Mayurbhanj: Almost a week after the death of a contractual employee, who was reportedly an eyewitness to the poaching of a tusker and burning of the carcass at Odisha’s Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR), his wife lodged a complaint against the three forest staff on Thursday.

According to sources, she lodged the complaint at Jashipur police station in Mayurbhanj, alleging that Turam Purty was murdered. Following this, a case has been registered against three forest staff, identified as Jenabil ranger in-charge Shiv Shankar Samal, forester Chandrabhanu Behera and forest guard Binod Kumar Das.

Turam Purty was reported to have consumed poison on December 11 after being allegedly threatened by the three accused forest staff involved in withholding information about the death of the elephant in STR.

STR field director T Ashok Kumar suspended them on the same day and they were later arrested after the Orissa High Court came down heavily on top forest officials over the elephant poaching.

The forest officials had allegedly told Purty that he might be imprisoned if he provides any proof regarding the case.

Also Read: Similipal Elephant Killing Case: Eyewitness Dies During Treatment At Cuttack SCB