Kerala Human Rights Commission Intervenes in Mahout Compensation Case
The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has issued a directive to authorities to accelerate the issuance of a legal heir certificate. This crucial document is required to facilitate the disbursal of the remaining compensation to the family of a mahout who tragically lost his life in an elephant attack at the Kottoor Elephant Rehabilitation Centre.
Commission's Suo Motu Action and Directives
Acting on its own initiative based on media reports, the SHRC, under the leadership of Chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas, has taken a proactive stance in this matter. The commission has specifically ordered the district collector and the Neyyattinkara tahsildar to urgently process and issue the legal heir certificate. This step is essential to unlock the pending compensation amount of Rs 13 lakh out of a total compensation package of Rs 18.5 lakh designated for the family of the deceased mahout, V Vishnu, aged 27.
This intervention follows an earlier directive from the SHRC on February 7, where it instructed the forest conservator of the Agasthyavanam Biological Park to take immediate measures to ensure compensation reaches Vishnu's family. The family, which relied heavily on his daily wages for sustenance, has been facing financial hardship since the incident.
Details of the Tragic Incident and Compensation Structure
The fatal event occurred on February 5, when Vishnu was engaged in bathing elephants at the Neyyar reservoir. During this routine activity, a nine-year-old elephant named Manu, whom Vishnu had been the primary handler for since 2018, reportedly became agitated. The elephant attacked Vishnu with its trunk and pushed him underwater, leading to his untimely death.
In response to this tragedy, a multi-faceted compensation plan has been outlined:
- An immediate financial assistance of Rs 50,000 has already been provided to the grieving family.
- A sum of Rs 3 lakh is slated to be disbursed from the insurance coverage held for the elephant involved in the incident.
- An additional Rs 5 lakh will be allocated from the insurance scheme specifically designed for temporary employees of the forest department.
- The government has sanctioned Rs 10 lakh as compensation for deaths resulting from wildlife attacks, of which Rs 5 lakh has already been processed and released to Vishnu's father, P Bijukumar.
Pending Disbursement and Required Documentation
The remaining compensation amount, totaling Rs 13 lakh, is currently on hold. Its release is contingent upon the submission of the legal heir certificate along with other necessary documents by the family. The SHRC's latest order aims to remove this bureaucratic hurdle, ensuring that the family receives the full financial support they are entitled to without further delay.
This case highlights the critical role of human rights commissions in safeguarding the welfare of citizens, particularly in situations involving occupational hazards and governmental compensation mechanisms. The commission's swift action underscores its commitment to justice and support for vulnerable families affected by such unfortunate events.
