Mysuru, 5 June

Kodagu police said on Friday that Sandhya Achaya, 51, the wife of senior IPS officer Sunil Achaya, was fatally attacked by a tusker on her estate when she was inspecting coffee plantations with her estate manager and driver. 

The latter narrowly escaped injury when they ran for safety as the elephant charged at the group.

Achaya was rushed to Lopamudra Hospital in Gonikoppal, where she was declared brought dead, having sustained serious injuries.

A senior forest officer from Nagarahole Tiger Reserve confirmed the attack. Kodagu Superintendent of Police Bindu Mani confirmed to the media that police have registered a case and a probe is on.

The increase in human-wildlife conflict in the area has triggered concerns among locals, especially as there have been several such fatal attacks in recent years. They urged the forest department officials and the government of Karnataka to initiate measures in the Thithimathi Wildlife Range so that they don't infringe on human habitations bordering on the forests.

These could include cordoning off the forest, adding official patrols, assessing forest boundaries and ensuring that sufficient water and food are available to the elephants.

A planter from the area, GG Rajendra, told The New Indian Express that he plans to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to ensure that wildlife does not stray into estates.