Cheetal deaths: Congress stages walkout, forms probe team

Soon after the 21 female cheetals were found dead in the zoo last month, the forest department and veterinary doctors had quickly buried them without even autopsy. The bellies of some cheetals were split open, but the probe report claimed it was caused by “crow beaks”. Wildlife experts have already junked the claim, saying such deep opening cannot be created by crows.

Patel raised the issue in the assembly as the Congress flashed The Indian Express report and pointed that BJP MLA Raju Kshatriya and men of local muscleman Shankar Mali had held a party in the zoo the night before the cheetals were found dead. “During his Vikas Yatra, Chief Minister Raman Singh had lunch with his team at the zoo,” Baghel said in the assembly, demanding an explanation from the government.

“It was not the first instance. Government officials and BJP politicians regularly hold parties in the zoo. They have converted it into their retreat,” Baghel told The Indian Express. “It has now been proved that they did not die of anthrax. The government should inform what action it has taken against officers who spread the rumour of anthrax.”

The Indian Veterinary Research Institute of Bareilly has also confirmed that there was no symptom of anthrax.

CM Singh has admitted it be a “serious incident” and promised a probe.