Archive · 25 Aug 2026
FSL Report Finds Gunpowder Primer on Victims’ Innerwear
Three men died after being shot during an incident in the Hanur forest area.
Their names were Anthony Swamy, Peter and Kumar.
Doctors examined their bodies at KR Hospital in Mysuru.
The examinations found bullet wounds in their chests, stomachs and thighs.
Investigators also found gunpowder primer material on the innerwear of two of the men.
This can indicate that the shots were fired from very close by.
Police questioned 12 forest workers who were at the scene.
They are comparing those accounts with the statement of Mahimdas, who is both an accused person for the forest department and the only eyewitness in the police inquiry.
Post-mortem examinations found that Anthony Swamy, Peter and Kumar suffered gunshot wounds to the chest, stomach and thigh.
The examinations were conducted at KR Hospital in Mysuru, according to the report.
Gunpowder primer components were reportedly detected in the inner clothing of Anthony Swamy and Peter.
The forensic findings indicate that the shots were fired at extremely close range.
Investigators questioned 12 forest personnel and recorded the statement of Mahimdas, the forest department’s fourth accused and the police investigation’s only eyewitness.
- Who
- Anthony Swamy, Peter and Kumar were killed; 12 forest personnel and Mahimdas were questioned during the inquiry.
- What
- Post-mortem and FSL reports examined the men’s injuries and reportedly found primer residue in the innerwear of Anthony Swamy and Peter, indicating extremely close-range shooting.
- When
- The reports concern the shootout that took place on the day the forest personnel encountered the three men; the articles do not provide a specific date.
- Where
- The incident occurred in the Hanur forest area of Chamarajanagar; the bodies were examined at KR Hospital in Mysuru.
- Why
- Investigators are comparing forensic evidence and witness accounts to establish the sequence of events surrounding the deaths.
Encounter Account Under Examination
Close-Range Shooting Concerns
Interpretation of the incident
Encounter Account Under Examination
The forest department’s account involves an encounter or exchange of fire in the Hanur forest area.
Close-Range Shooting Concerns
The reported primer residue in two victims’ innerwear and the FSL finding of extremely close-range shooting have prompted further scrutiny of what happened.
Witness evidence
Encounter Account Under Examination
Forest personnel present at the scene have provided information to investigators, and their accounts are being examined as part of the inquiry.
Close-Range Shooting Concerns
Mahimdas, described as the only eyewitness in the police investigation, is also listed as an accused by the forest department, creating a disputed evidentiary position.
- Incident
- Encounter involving three men and forest personnel in the Hanur forest area.
- Deceased
- Anthony Swamy, Peter and Kumar.
- Injuries
- Gunshot wounds were reported in the chest, stomach and thigh regions.
- Forensic finding
- Primer components of gunpowder were reportedly found in the inner clothing of Anthony Swamy and Peter.
- Shooting distance
- The FSL report stated that the shooting occurred at extremely close range.
- Forest personnel questioned
- Twelve staff members from the Holemuridatti and Betegara Gudda anti-poaching camps were examined.
- Witness and accused status
- Mahimdas is listed as the forest department’s fourth accused and is the only eyewitness in the police investigation.