Archive · 25 Aug 2026
DMK Seeks Explanation Over Three Deaths in Karnataka Forest Action
Three men named Anthony Samy, John Rose Peter and Kumar were shot dead by Karnataka forest officials on August 15.
The incident happened near the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.
They lived in villages in Hanur taluk of Karnataka and were described as alleged poachers.
Tamil Nadu political parties say the men were Tamils.
DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin said their post-mortem reports showed serious injuries and possible torture.
He asked what the Tamil Nadu government had done to seek justice.
He also requested legal help for the families and a high-level investigation.
The Assembly Speaker said the Law Minister would give a detailed response.
The DMK raised the deaths of Anthony Samy, John Rose Peter and Kumar in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
The three men were shot by the Karnataka Forest Department on August 15 in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary area.
DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin said post-mortem findings indicated torture, broken bones and shooting at very close range.
Udhayanidhi asked whether Tamil Nadu had condemned the incident or sought an explanation from Karnataka.
He sought a high-level inquiry and legal assistance for the families, while the Speaker promised a detailed reply from the Law Minister.
- Who
- DMK Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin raised the issue involving Anthony Samy, John Rose Peter and Kumar, who were described as alleged poachers and claimed by Tamil Nadu political parties to be Tamils.
- What
- The Tamil Nadu Assembly discussed the men’s deaths after they were shot by the Karnataka Forest Department.
- When
- The men were shot in the early hours of August 15; the issue was raised in the Assembly on August 25 and had previously been raised on August 18.
- Where
- The shooting occurred in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary area in Hanur taluk of Karnataka’s Chamarajanagar district; the matter was discussed in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
- Why
- The DMK sought an explanation from Karnataka, government condemnation, a high-level inquiry and legal assistance for the families.
DMK’s Allegations and Demands
Reported Official Position
Circumstances of the deaths
DMK’s Allegations and Demands
Udhayanidhi Stalin described the deaths as a brutal killing and said the post-mortem findings indicated torture, broken bones and shooting at close range.
Reported Official Position
The reports identify the three men as alleged poachers who were shot by the Karnataka Forest Department, but do not include a detailed response from the department to the allegations.
Tamil Nadu government action
DMK’s Allegations and Demands
The DMK asked whether Tamil Nadu had condemned the incident, sought an explanation from Karnataka or raised it through the Southern Zonal Council and with Karnataka’s chief minister.
Reported Official Position
The Speaker said a state minister had already responded when the issue was raised on August 18 and that the Law Minister would give a further detailed reply.
Next steps
DMK’s Allegations and Demands
Udhayanidhi demanded a high-level inquiry and legal assistance for the three families.
Reported Official Position
The reports do not state that a high-level inquiry or legal-assistance plan had been approved.
- Deceased
- Anthony Samy, John Rose Peter and Kumar
- Date of shooting
- Early hours of August 15
- Location
- Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary area, Hanur taluk, Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka
- Agency involved
- Karnataka Forest Department
- DMK allegation
- Udhayanidhi Stalin said the post-mortem report indicated torture, severe injuries, broken bones and shooting at very close range.
- Requested action
- A high-level inquiry, official condemnation, an explanation from Karnataka and legal assistance for the families
- Assembly response
- Speaker J C D Prabhakar said a state minister had already replied and that the Law Minister would provide a detailed response.
