Elusive plantation owner wanted in elephant death case in Coimbatore arrested

Coimbatore: An estate owner in Thadagam has been arrested after a wild elephant died getting trapped in an electric fence

Wild elephants that left jungle on February 12,near Thadagam in Coimbatore, had come to a nearby private farm. A 12-year-old male elephant died after it got stuck in an electric fence. The forest department, which rushed to the spot after receiving information, confirmed that the animal died of electrocution, and the electricity department staff reached the spot and held an examination.

The power board officials found that high voltage power supply was the cause of the elephant's death. Following this, the forest department registered a case against the estate owner Manoharan and his son Naresh under the Wildlife Protection Act.

However, Manoharan remained elusive for the past two months and the forest department had formed a special squad to nabe him. Meanwhile, Manoharan, through his lawyer, filed an application for anticipatory bail in the Coimbatore courts and high court. But all the petitions were dismissed.

Manoharan, who was hiding in Karnataka, reached Coimbatore by bus this (Monday) morning. He was arrested by the forest department led by Coimbatore forest ranger Arun Kumar when he reached near the Pannimadai bus stop. They are also on the lookout for his son Naresh, who is absconding.