Judge's securitymen flout forest rules

NAGPUR:In an unprecedented incident, policemen escorting a judge of Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court were imposed a fine of Rs 500 each for going wild in Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary in Gondia district on Sunday. Sources said Justice R M Borde and his wife were on a visit to Nagzira on Sunday.

As per norms, Borde was granted security by Gondia and Bhandara district police. Before starting for morning forest safari, Borde had strictly asked securitymen to stay back at ‘Nilay' guest house where he was putting up. After Borde and his wife left in a forest department vehicle, the securitymen defied his orders and went for a safari of their own in their vehicles. Around 9 am, the cops in two Tata Sumo vehicles sighted a male tiger between ‘Nilay' and water hole number one.

The tiger was hardly 60 feet away from the road Eyewitnesses said the cops were so excited by this that some of them got out of their vehicles and headed towards the animal. Some tourists in other vehicles following them asked the cops to get back, but they did not listen. A section of tourists told TOI, some policemen also hurled stones at the tiger. Disturbed, the tiger disappeared from the spot. The 10 policemen included driver of Justice Borde.

Under the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) 1972, firearms are strictly prohibited inside the protected area. Authorised guides are compulsory with each vehicle and one cannot get down from vehicles except at designated places. Violation of these rules invites prosecution under the Act. The securitymen were not accompanied by any guide, it is learnt.