A case has been registered against five individuals, including forest department officials, in connection with the death of Gopal (51), a jeep driver and contract worker attached to the Kallahalli Range of Nagarahole National Park.
The complaint, filed by his wife Chaitra at the Kutta Police Station, alleges negligence and suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. The accused include Range Forest Officer Rajashekhar, Deputy RFO Venu Gopal, forest watchers Shivu and Abhi, and contractor Prakash.
According to the complaint, Gopal was injured in an accident and admitted to a hospital on May 22. He was discharged and brought home the next day despite having sustained a head injury. When his condition worsened on May 24, he was re-admitted. Though doctors cleared him for discharge on June 3, Gopal passed away on June 10.
Sanketh Poovaiah, President of the Wildlife Contract Employees’ Association, visited the bereaved family and alleged that Gopal was denied timely and adequate medical care by forest officials. “We will continue our protest until the family receives justice,” he said.
