Three Elephants Dead Due To Electrocution: Chhattisgarh HC Takes Suo Motu Cognizance, Directs State To Notify 'Remedial Steps'

The Chhattisgarh High Court on Monday (November 4) initiated a suo motu PIL petition taking cognizance of newspaper reports highlighting the "menace of leaving live electric wires" in Raipur's Chuhkimar forest division which reportedly lead to the death of three elephants due to electrocution.

The high court took note of two newspaper reports from October 27–one published by Times City, Time of India, Raipur titled "3 elephants electrocuted by loose 11KV wire in Raigarh" and the other published by the The Hitavada, Window on Chhattisgarh which was titled “3 elephants electrocuted”. 

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru in its order directed the Secretary of the state's Energy Department and Managing Director, Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company, Raipur to submit an affidavit detailing out the "remedial steps" undertaken by them in the matter. It further asked them to state the action taken against the concerned officer who allegedly left the live wires on the field.

“In view of above, respondent No.1/Secretary, Energy Department, State of Chhattisgarh and respondent No.2/Managing Director, Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company, Raipur are directed to file their personal affidavits in the matter regarding remedial steps which have been taken by them and further, what action has been taken against the officer concerned considering the fact that on 01.11.2024 one elephant has died due to electrocution at Takhatpur forest range, Bilaspur Division as the farmers have left the live electric wires on the fields as per the news report, and recently on 10.10.2024 three bears have died due to electrocution in Kanker and also the menace of leaving live electric wires in forest to kill wild animals have taken three human lives only in the month of October, 2024, two in Korba on 16.10.2024 and one in Ambikapur on 22.10.2024”, the high court said.

The court noted that as per the newspaper report published by Times of India, Raipur three female elephants, including a calf, were electrocuted in Chuhkimar forest in Raigarh forest division when they came in contact with an 11KV live wire hanging loose barely 3-4 meters above the ground. This, the report states, took the elephant toll in the state since 2001 to 78. It further stated that there is a clear protocol that electric lines passing over agricultural fields and through forests should be at least 7.5 metres above the ground and not dangling. Also, insulated cables are to be used, not open wires, the report added. 

The Advocate General appearing for the State submitted that as per instructions received by him the incident in which three elephants have died on account of electrocution the wire was below the permissible limit and action has been taken against concerned Forest Guard and Deputy Ranger and the Electricity Department has also taken action against erring officials. 

The matter is next listed on November 20.

Case Title: In The Matter Of Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation versus SECRETARY, WPPIL No. 89 of 2024

Click here to read/download the order