Balaghat Tiger Carcass Controversy: Officials Burn Evidence, Cover-Up Exposed

Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh: A shocking cover-up has emerged in Balaghat after forest officials allegedly attempted to destroy evidence of a tigress carcass discovered on 27 July. The State Tiger Strike Force (STSF) investigation revealed that eight forest personnel, including a deputy ranger and a forest guard, were involved in concealing and ultimately burning the tiger’s body.

Discovery and Initial Cover-Up
The carcass was found during a routine patrol near the Bahtikur beat of the Sonwani Conservation Reserve, close to a canal. According to NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority) guidelines, any tiger death must be immediately reported to senior authorities, the site sealed, and forensic samples collected. However, fearing suspension, the officials reportedly hid the carcass for three days instead of following protocol.

Burning of the Carcass
On 30 July, under instructions from then-Deputy Ranger Tikaram Hinote and Forest Guard Himanshu Ghoramare, the carcass was burned to erase evidence. Employees later revealed that they acted out of fear of departmental punishment. One employee secretly photographed the carcass, and these images later surfaced, exposing the full scale of the cover-up.

Legal Action and Arrests
Following the STSF investigation, all eight accused have been taken into custody. Hinote and Ghoramare have been dismissed from service. Ghoramare has been presented in court and placed on remand, while the remaining seven are already in jail. Their bail petitions were rejected by both the Madhya Pradesh High Court and lower courts. The STSF continues to probe the case to uncover the complete truth behind the incident.

NTCA Protocols Violated
Under NTCA regulations, a tiger’s death requires the site to be sealed, post-mortem conducted in the presence of senior officials and authorized veterinarians, forensic samples collected, and proper documentation including photographs. None of these procedures were followed in this case, highlighting gross negligence and a deliberate attempt to obstruct justice.