Jumbo deaths: CESU official among 3 arrested in Odisha

Dhenaknal: The Crime Branch (CB) of Odisha today arrested three persons, including an official of Central Electricity Supply Unit (CESU) in connection with the electrocution death of seven elephants at Kamalanga village under Sadar Forest Range in Dhenkanal district on October 27.

The CB, which had registered five cases in connection with the incident, today arrested suspended junior engineer of CESU Sanjay Mohanty, Meramandali Section Forester Prabhakar Rana and Forest Guard Girish Dehury.

On the fateful night, seven elephants were electrocuted after coming in contact with an 11-KV live wire at Kamalanga village in the district.

Following the incident, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had ordered a Crime Branch probe into the incident. Moreover, six officials of Forest Department and CESU were placed under suspension for dereliction of duty.

On the other hand, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had slapped a penalty of Rs 1 crore on CESU holding it responsible for the mishap.