The Hindu : Karnataka News : Retired wildlife warden gets justice after 17 years

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 20, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

Retired wildlife warden gets justice after 17 years

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: As a Range Wildlife Warden in the Nagarahole National Park 17 years ago, K.M. Chinnappa was accused in a case of murder.

Last week, Mr. Chinnappa, who has been fighting poachers and timber smugglers in Nagarhole, was awarded Rs. 1.5 lakhs as compensation for the harassment meted out to him by the police.

Mr. Chinnappa's battle against poachers and smugglers, meant strict enforcement of the law, and even forest staff and the police were made to fall in line. In 1988, when a forest guard allegedly murdered a local villager, Mr. Chinnappa was named the accused and was arrested.

The three police officers, the then Superintendent of Police in Kodagu, Motiram, the Deputy Superintendent of Police, M.B. Jayaram, and Kutta Circle Inspector of police, H.P. Nagarajaiah, got Mr. Chinnappa arrested.

He was allegedly handcuffed and chained to hospital bed during detention.

A magisterial inquiry by the Kodagu District Magistrate later established that it was a serious violation.

The Government ordered an inquiry by the Corps of Detectives (CoD).

The Inspector-General of Police, CoD, stated that Mr. Chinnappa was not connected with the case.

Opted for VRS

Mr. Chinnappa subsequently opted for voluntary retirement, and through his advocate, A.K. Subbaiah, filed a writ petition before the Karnataka High Court seeking compensation for the harassment.

Now, after 17 years, and subsequent to the High Court's observation that there was violation of human rights and harassment, the State Government has agreed to pay a compensation of Rs. 1.5 lakhs to Mr. Chinnappa.

The Director-General of Police has been asked take immediate action to recover the compensation amount from the three police officers.

In a statement, Mr. Chinnappa, who heads Wildlife First, a non-governmental organisation, said his former colleagues in the Forest Department continue to target him.

"We will fight such attempts and seek justice from the judiciary, which has once again sent a clear signal that harassment will result in punishment," he said.

Mr. Chinnappa is a recipient of the Chief Minister's Gold Medal and has been awarded the Sanctuary Lifetime Achievement in Wildlife Protection.

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