MP High Court Seeks Specific Reply on Preventive Measures After Tiger Deaths in Kanha National Park
The Madhya Pradesh High Court at Jabalpur has directed Union and State respondents to file specific averments on preventive and curative steps taken following tiger deaths in Kanha National Park.
A Division Bench of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh at Jabalpur, comprising Justice Vivek Jain and Justice Ajay Kumar Nirankari, took up a writ petition filed by Subit Chakrabarti against the Union of India and others concerning tiger deaths in the Kanha National Park. On 29 May 2026, the Bench issued notice to all respondents and directed them to file a reply within two weeks, specifically addressing the preventive and curative measures taken in connection with the tiger deaths. The matter has been listed for hearing in the week commencing 22 June 2026, immediately after the summer vacation.
The Petition and the Respondents
The petitioner, Subit Chakrabarti, is represented by Senior Advocate Shri Ansuman Singh along with Advocate Shri Prateek Rusia. The Union of India and one other central respondent — respondents No. 1 and 2 — are represented by Deputy Solicitor General Shri S.M. Guru and Additional Solicitor General Shri Sunil Jain, along with Advocate Shri Dev Sharma. Respondents No. 3 to 5, being the State respondents, are represented by Deputy Advocate General Shri Swapnil Ganguly.
Notice was issued to all respondents. Counsel for the central respondents accepted notice on the spot, as did the Deputy Advocate General on behalf of the State respondents.
Direction for Specific Averments on Tiger Deaths
The Bench did not merely call for a routine reply. It directed that the respondents “come out with specific averments regarding the preventive and curative measures” taken in the matter of tiger deaths in the Kanha National Park. This direction requires the Union and State authorities to go beyond general statements and place on record the concrete steps, if any, that have been taken to prevent further deaths and to address the causes of those already reported.
Counsel for the respondents sought two weeks' time to seek instructions and prepare the reply. The Bench granted that time, with the reply to be filed within two weeks from the date of the order.
Next Date and Listing
The matter is to be listed immediately after the summer vacation, in the week commencing 22 June 2026. The direction to list the case promptly after the vacation signals that the Bench intends to proceed without delay once the reply is on record.
Order
The Division Bench issued notice to all respondents in WP No. 19398 of 2026, accepted on the spot by counsel for the Union and the State. Respondents are directed to file a reply within two weeks, containing specific averments on preventive and curative measures taken regarding tiger deaths in Kanha National Park. The case is listed in the week commencing 22 June 2026.