A shocking case of tiger poaching has surfaced in Madhya Pradesh’s Satna district, where a forest department watchman and members of his family have come under investigation for their alleged involvement in the death and concealment of a tiger inside the Sarbhanga forest. Acting on a tip-off, forest officials exhumed the animal’s remains nearly two months after its death and have detained three suspects as the investigation gathers pace.

The incident came to light in the Sarbhanga forest under the Majhgawan Forest Range, where authorities suspect the tiger died after coming into contact with an illegal electrified wire laid to trap wild boars. Officials believe the accused buried the carcass inside the forest to hide evidence of the incident.

According to forest department officials, they received confidential information about five days ago indicating that a tiger had been killed in the forest and secretly buried. Following the tip-off, the department activated its intelligence network and launched a discreet investigation to verify the claims and identify the suspected burial site.

A large-scale search operation was carried out on Thursday with the assistance of a dog squad, flying squad personnel and officials led by Range Officer Ranjan Singh Parihar. However, heavy rainfall, dense vegetation and the lack of an exact location initially prevented the team from locating the remains.

The breakthrough came later that night when another intelligence input pointed to the alleged involvement of Minnata Singh Gond, a forest watchman posted in the Sarbhanga area. He was taken into custody for questioning on Friday in the presence of senior forest officials, including Sub-Divisional Forest Officer Abhishek Tiwari.

During interrogation, officials said the suspect disclosed that around two months ago, an electric wire had been illegally installed in the forest to hunt wild boars. A tiger reportedly came into contact with the live wire and died from electrocution. Fearing legal consequences, those involved allegedly buried the animal's body in a nearby pit inside the forest.

Based on the suspect's statement, forest officials reached Compartment PF-820 in Beat Kararia, where excavation was carried out. The team recovered skeletal remains and other body parts believed to belong to the tiger. Since nearly two months had elapsed since the animal’s death, the remains were found in an advanced state of decomposition.

The recovered remains were shifted to the Sarbhanga Forest Rest House due to adverse weather conditions. Wildlife veterinarian Dr. Nitin Gupta and a team from Mukundpur Zoo later examined the remains and collected samples for scientific analysis and forensic investigation.

Following the examination, the tiger’s remains were cremated in accordance with wildlife protocols in the presence of senior forest officials, including Conservator of Forests Anurag Kumar, Divisional Forest Officer Mayank Chandiwal, Sub-Divisional Forest Officer Abhishek Tiwari, Tehsildar Himanshu Shukla, and other department personnel.

Forest officials said two additional suspects have also been taken into custody based on the ongoing investigation, while several other alleged accomplices are still absconding. Efforts are underway to trace and apprehend the remaining suspects.

Authorities have stated that a detailed investigation is continuing and that all individuals found involved in the poaching incident will face stringent action under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Officials are also examining whether the illegal electric trap was part of a larger pattern of wildlife hunting in the region.

The incident has once again highlighted the threat posed by illegal electrocution traps in forest areas, raising concerns over wildlife protection and the role of individuals entrusted with safeguarding protected habitats.