Dhenkanal Elephant Electrocution: NGT imposes Rs 1 Cr fine on CESU

ONI Bureau: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has suo moto registered a case and imposed a fine of Rs 1 crore on CESU in connection with the electrocution of 7 elephants at Kamalanga in Dhenkanal district on Friday night.

The Jumbos while passing through a farmland, came in contact with the electric wire laid by the Railway department for track construction work. The Forest Department has put the blame on CESU for ignoring basic guidelines.

Six officials and a junior engineer of Central Electricity Supply Utility (CESU) were suspended along with three forest staff members, including the Dhenkanal Range Officer. CM Naveen Patnaik had ordered a probe into the matter.

The NGT took up the matter on the basis of media reports and filed a case.