Legal notice seeks judicial probe into Bangabahadur’s death

A Supreme Court lawyer today sent a legal notice requesting the government to form a judicial inquiry committee to probe the death of the Indian wild elephant, Bangabahadur.

Eunus Ali Akond served the notice saying that Bangabahadur died on August 16 at Sharishabari upazila of Jamalpur as he was administered excessive tranquiliser.

In the notice, Akond said there might be irresponsibility and negligence of the Forest Department in rescuing and treatment of the elephant.

Different newspapers including The Daily Star have reported that the elephant was killed, he added in the notice.

The persons who are responsible for the elephant's death should be tried including imprisonment and fine through holding a judicial inquiry, he said.

In the notice, he requested the government to form a judicial inquiry committee in 24 hours to unearth the reasons behind Bangabahadur's death.

The lawyer said he would file a writ petition with the High Court seeking necessary directives on the government if it does not take necessary steps in 24hrs.

The secretaries to the ministries of fisheries and livestock, forest and environment, home affairs and LGRD, directorate of livestock and deputy commissioner of Jamalpur have been made respondent to the legal notice.