Hunting gone wrong: Relatives mistake youth for deer, shoot him dead

COIMBATORE: A tragic hunting mishap claimed the life of a 23-year-old man in the Athikadavu forest area under the Karamadai Forest Range near Coimbatore. The victim, Sanjith, a resident of Surandimalai village, was accidentally shot by his own relatives during a hunting expedition.

According to police, Sanjith had ventured into the forest last Saturday along with relatives Kundur K. Murugesan and Kali Swami alias Pappaiyan, carrying a country-made firearm. The group was reportedly under the influence of alcohol at the time.

In the darkness, the group mistook Sanjith for a deer after spotting movement in the bushes and opened fire. It was only after the shooting that they discovered Sanjith had been hit. Panicked, Murugesan and Kali Swami fled the scene, abandoning the injured youth.

The following day, Murugesan contacted Sanjith’s family and informed them of the incident. A search was conducted in the forest, and Sanjith’s body was discovered with five bullet wounds.

Peelur Dam Police have registered a case and taken both Murugesan and Kali Swami into custody in connection with the accidental killing. Investigations are ongoing.