Tripura suspends top forest official over lion naming row

In response to a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) petition, Calcutta High Court Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya had on February 22 said his conscience did not support such naming. “It is not just Sita. I also do not support naming a lion as Akbar. Will you name a lion Samrat Ashok?” he said.

A Tripura government source confirmed that Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Praveen Agarwal had been suspended, but declined to comment further.

In a notification dated February 22, Tripura government Under-Secretary Tapas Bhowmik said disciplinary proceedings against Agrawal, who is also Chief Wildlife Warden, were contemplated and pending.

“Now, therefore, the Competent Authority in exercise of powers conferred by clause (a) of sub-rule (i) of rule 3 of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, hereby places the said Shri P.L. Agrawal, IFS (TR:1994), under suspension with immediate effect,” the notification said.

The notification also directs the PCCF to stay put at state capital Agartala.

The Calcutta High Court on February 22 verbally asked the West Bengal state government to give new names to the lions.