Panchayat president Vellanad Sasi surrenders in killing porcupine case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Vellanad Panchayat President Vellanad Sasi, who killed a porcupine that had entered the village, surrendered at the forest department office. He surrendered at the Paruthipally Range Office. Sasi surrendered after the court rejected his anticipatory bail plea in the case. The porcupine was seen at the house of Rajitha of Vellanad Valiyara, last month.

Arun and his family, who live here on rent, had informed the locals and the Vellanad panchayat authorities about the sighting of the porcupine. Ward member Shailaja asked panchayat president Vellanad Sasi to inform the forest department. However, without informing the forest department, Sasi reached the spot, took an iron rod and hit the porcupine on the head. The people present there told him that they had informed the forest department, but he did not pay heed to it and killed the animal. He left the spot by the time the forest department officials reached the spot.

Paruthipally Forest Department officials led by R RT Roshini arrived and conducted an inspection. In addition to the forest department officials, a veterinarian was also present. The porcupine is a Schedule I wildlife species. If you attack or kill it, you are punished with three to seven years in prison and a fine of Rs 25,000. The postmortem report states that the porcupine died due to a brain fracture. A case was later registered against Sasi under the non-bailable section.