CB-CID takes over investigation into elephant poaching and suspicious death of accused in Dharmapuri

CHENNAI: The Head of the Tamil Nadu Police Force has transferred two interconnected cases—a high-profile elephant poaching incident and the suspicious death of a suspect in custody—to the Crime Branch CID (CB-CID) for further investigation, citing the gravity of the allegations and public interest.

On March 1, 2025, forest officials discovered a mutilated and charred elephant carcass in the Neruppur Forest Range under Eriyur Police Station limits in Pennagaram Taluk, Dharmapuri district. Authorities suspected the elephant was killed for its tusks, prompting the Forest Department to register a case under relevant wildlife protection laws.

During the investigation, G Senthil (28), from Kongarapatti village, was apprehended by forest officials on March 17. However, he reportedly escaped into the forest while handcuffed.

Four other accused were arrested on March 19 in the poaching case and remanded in judicial custody. A separate case was filed against Senthil on March 19 for allegedly assaulting officials and fleeing custody.

Meanwhile, on April 3, the Forest Department received information about a decomposed male body in the Sarakkadu forest area of Kongarapatti Village. Based on a complaint by the Village Administrative Officer (VAO) of Sunjalnatham, a suspicious death case was registered on April 4. Relatives later identified the deceased as Senthil and raised allegations of foul play, questioning the circumstances leading to his death.

Given the seriousness of the allegations—linking illegal wildlife trade to a potential custodial death—the Office of the Director General of Police ordered both cases to be transferred to the CB-CID.

“The decision ensures an impartial probe into all angles, including the poaching network and the events surrounding Senthil’s demise,” a police officer said.

Madras HC seeks autopsy report of poaching case suspect

The Madras High Court directed the State to file the post-mortem report of the suspect who died suspiciously in connection with the recent elephant poaching at Dharmapuri forest range and directed to preserve his mortal remains.

Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan heard the petition moved by petitioner Chitra of Kongarapatti alleging that her husband, G Senthil of Kongarapatti, was found dead suspiciously after he was taken by the forest officials for the investigation in the elephant poaching case.

The petitioner contended that her husband died suspiciously while in the custody of the forest officials. Further, several wounds and bruises were found all over his body, she said.

Hence, she raised serious allegations that her husband was subjected to physical torture by the officials and died. She sought a transparent investigation into her husband's death by an independent agency.

The government advocate submitted that the case has been transferred to CB-CID, and a post-mortem examination was done as per the orders of the judicial magistrate at Dharmapuri government hospital.

After the submission, the judge directed the State to file the post mortem report and posted the matter to Tuesday; until then, the mortal remains should be kept in preservation, ordered the judge.

Pennagaram Magistrate inspects scene of crime

The Pennagaram Judicial Magistrate J Nagalakshmi alias Vijayarani on Monday examined the spot where the charred body of suspected poacher G Senthil (28) of Kongarapatti village was found after he allegedly escaped from the custody of forest department officials.

Following a writ petition moved by S Chithra, wife of Senthil, in the Madras High Court seeking a CBI investigation into the suspicious death of her husband, the magistrate visited the area inside the forest. She also held enquiries with the forest department regarding the poaching case and the subsequent death of the man. The case has been transferred to CB-CID for further investigation.