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Court Probes Alarming Tiger Deaths in Maharashtra
24 Jan
Summary
- Bombay High Court took suo motu notice of rising tiger deaths in Maharashtra.
- Tiger deaths by electrocution and suspected road accidents are a major concern.
- The court aims to examine systemic failures in wildlife protection and investigations.
The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has registered a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to investigate a disturbing rise in tiger deaths within Maharashtra. The court's intervention, initiated on January 24, 2026, follows reports of multiple tiger fatalities, including four between December 31, 2025, and January 11, 2026, in the Vidarbha region. Officials are particularly concerned about deaths resulting from electrocution via illegally erected fences and suspected road accidents.
Justices Anil Kilor and Raj D Wakode have appointed advocate Chaitanya Dhruv as amicus curiae to argue the PIL. The court seeks to understand systemic failures in wildlife protection, investigation protocols, and accountability for these deaths. This judicial scrutiny comes as Maharashtra, which has a tiger population of 444, ranks second nationally in tiger fatalities after Madhya Pradesh.
The PIL will also question the National Tiger Conservation Authority's (NTCA) role, specifically regarding prompt information sharing and the seriousness of investigations. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on March 18, 2026, amid broader concerns about big cat deaths in neighboring Madhya Pradesh.
