Overview
- Aneesh, 43, a tribal resident of Block 10 in the Aralam TRDM area, was fatally trampled around 4 a.m. in the courtyard of his home.
- Court records note the Rapid Response Team was alerted, but night patrols failed to locate the elephant due to heavy mist before the RRT transported the injured man to hospital.
- The Bench cited Article 21, calling the State’s measures woefully inadequate and describing administrative lapses that left tribal residents vulnerable.
- The court directed the Chief Secretary, the SC/ST Department Secretary, and the Chief Wildlife Warden to appear by video conference on March 2 to detail preventive steps.
- Officials said the elephant likely entered through an opening at an under-construction barrier, while local leaders alleged failed electric fencing and pointed to repeated fatalities in Aralam and over 100 elephant-related deaths statewide in 2024.