Dharmapuri elephant death: CB-CID will thoroughly probe suspicious death of suspected poacher, says T.N. Minister Ponmudy

Minister announces Crime Branch-CID investigation into suspicious death of suspected poacher in Tamil Nadu forest.

Minister for Forests K. Ponmudy told the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 that the Crime Branch-CID of the Tamil Nadu police would conduct a thorough investigation into the suspicious death of a suspected poacher whose body was found at Eriyur reserve forest in Dharmapuri on April 4, days after he allegedly escaped from the custody of forest officials.

The Minister was responding to a calling attention motion moved by PMK floor leader G.K. Mani and CPI floor leader T. Ramachandran regarding the suspicious death of G. Senthil Kumar of Kongarapatti village, who was taken into custody by forest officials days after the mutilated and charred carcass of a sub-adult elephant was found in Neruppur Forest Range in Pennagaram Taluk in Dharmapuri district on March 1.

“There were reports that the accused had ended his life. When he escaped from the custody of the Forest Department officials, he was handcuffed. How could he pull a gun and kill himself? The Forest Department officials have also prevented local residents from nearby villages from entering the forest since the day he escaped. His death remains suspicious,” argued the PMK leader, demanding a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

In his response, Mr. Ponmudy said “Following the arrest of Senthil Kumar, he was taken into the forest to identify a hideout on March 18. He escaped from the custody of Forest Department officials. The police and the Forest Fepartment officials launched searches to nab him. However, days after, on April 4, his dead body was found at Eriyur reserve forest.”

Officials from the Police, Forest and Revenue departments have investigated the spot. A case was registered regarding his death and later it was transferred to the CB-CID for investigation. The CB-CID will conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that all those involved are held accountable, the Minister added.

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