CBI starts probe in Forest Dept officials' role in Uttarakhand Tiger deaths

The CBI has initiated a preliminary enquiry into the alleged collusion of forest department officials in tiger deaths and poaching cases reported from protected areas of Uttarakhand during the past five years.

The agency has set up multiple teams of officials from its Wildlife Wing to look into the deaths and possibly complete its probe within three months, the sources said.

During its probe the agency will cover deaths and killing of tigers and leopards reported from the protected areas of Joshimath, Rajaji National Park, Corbett Tiger Reserve, Pithoragarh, Almora, Haldwani and Kumaon range among others.

The agency has started the inquiry against unidentified officials of Uttarakhand forest department and others to look into their alleged "criminal misconduct, complicity, involvement, collusion" in the incidents of poaching and deaths of wild cats reported in the state.

Some of the teams have already reached at some of the crime scenes to begin their investigation while some are ...