Activists oppose state's clean chit to Avni's shooter

Mumbai: Activists have objected on the clean chit given by the state forest department to the sharpshooter Asgar Ali Khan for shooting down the T1 tigress. The forest department has stated that it has closed the case of the tigress Avni’s shoot-on-sight incident, as it claims that the investigation against the sharpshooter has been resolved.

“It is not surprising that the state forest department has given a clean chit to Ali, given that they want to wrap up the matter soon before elections. Otherwise the onus will fall on them, as they had brought the sharpshooter despite several controversies and opposition. It seems that they had even surpassed the The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) report which raised questions about the tigress’ killing, which is why we have been asking for judicial probe,” said Dr Jerryl Banait, wildlife activist.

Dr Banait has also filed a petition in the Bombay high court claiming irregularities in the shooting of Avni. The NTCA has also written to the state urging appropriate action based on the finding on the statutory body’s report.

The report had highlighted the fact that the dart was fired from approximately 12.8 metres distance when T1 was seen crossing the road.

As the tigress continued to move even after darting on her natural path while snarling and growling at the team probably because of disturbance due to the dart, the moving vehicle and the spotlight, within three to five seconds, Khan took one of the guns and shot T1 from the moving vehicle.