Outrage as MLA Accused of Beating Leopard During Rescue

Animal rights organizations have called for immediate action against Shiv Sena MLA Chandrakant Patil after a viral video allegedly showed him involved in beating a female leopard during a rescue operation in Jalgaon district.

PETA India, along with CUPA, WRRC, and FIAPO, has written to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, urging action against Patil. The organizations also petitioned the Deputy Conservator of Forests in Jalgaon for a preliminary offence report against those involved.

The incident reportedly took place near a guesthouse in Muktainagar, with MLA Patil alleged to be part of the crowd that beat the tranquilized leopard. PETA India emphasized that such acts, especially by elected officials, undermine wildlife protection laws and called for strict enforcement of The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

(With inputs from agencies.)