Kerala Forest Dept safari vehicles impounded over non-payment of elephant attack compensation

The Sulthan Bathery court has seized two safari vehicles from the Kerala Forest Department after it failed to pay the full compensation ordered to the family of a man killed by a wild jumbo.

The vehicles, two minibuses used for forest safaris inside the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary at Muthanga, were impounded on Tuesday following directions from the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court II.

In 2014, Rajeesh, a resident of Vakeri in the South Wayanad division, was killed in an elephant attack. The Forest Department initially granted his family ₹6 lakh as compensation.

Rajeesh’s mother, Selina, argued the amount was insufficient and petitioned the court. In 2021, the court ordered an additional ₹5 lakh to be paid. However, the Forest Department failed to release the extra sum.

Vehicles seized after non-compliance

Last October, the court had authorised the seizure of the department’s vehicles due to non-payment. At that time, officials did not carry out the seizure after being informed that the compensation would be paid.

Months later, with the amount still unpaid, the court took possession of two of the four minibuses used to take tourists into the forest. Lawyer K.J. Vijayakumar appeared on behalf of the petitioner in court.

The South Wayanad DFO maintained that the Forest Department has appealed to the High Court against the order that increased compensation. The department hopes to recover the seized vehicles once a court stay on the case is secured.

Impact on forest tourism

The seized vehicles represent half of the minibuses operating safaris at Muthanga. Tourists visiting the sanctuary may face temporary disruption in safari services until the matter is resolved.