Madikeri: A First Investigation Report (FIR) has been file against 3 Forest Department officials after a coffee grower lost his life in elephant herd attack recently in Siddapur taluk limits of the district.

An FIR has been filed against Kodagu Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Lingaraj, Deputy Conservator of Forests (Virajpete Forest Division) Maria Christaraj and Range Forest Officer (RFO) Gangadhar.

A coffee grower named Kukkunoor Mohandas (68) was trampled to death by an elephant herd in Karadigodu village limits of the district on January 22, while returning home after dropping a labourer in his estate.

After the civil judge of Virajpet court permitted, the FIR was registered against the 3 officials holding them responsible for the death of Mohandas. The complainants have stated that the elephants, under the control of the forest department were responsible for the death of the coffee grower. They have charged the departmental officials with “total neglect” and had urged the jurisdictional court to hold them accountable in the case.

Meanwhile, Manoj Kumar, Secretary of AFS, the department related organisation has alleged that the FIR had been filed after the complainants provided false documents. This questions the propriety of sections 182/195 of IPC and also demoralises the forest staff, said Manoj Kumar raising personal concern over the developments in the case.

Reacting on the developments, Prukruthi Srivastsava, Director of Indian Wildlife Conservation organisation said forest staffers work in the most dangerous situations and sometimes end up losing their lives. Unfortunately, in this case, they have been cornered owing to the death of an elderly man, she added saddened by the developments.