POR and FIR Registered After Hanuman Langur Violently Thrashed in a Viral Video in Bokaro, Following PETA India Complaint
After being tagged on the social media platform ‘X’ in a viral video depicting several individuals, including a Home Guard jawan from the Chas Forest Division, violently beating a captured Hanuman langur, a species protected under Schedule II of the Wild Life (Protection) Act (WPA), 1972, with sticks—PETA India sprang into action by filing a complaint with the Bokaro Forest Division of the Jharkhand Forest Department, urging them to register a Preliminary Offence Report (POR). The deeply disturbing incident involving the violent assault of the langur has triggered outrage nationwide.
According to the information received, the langur had reportedly bitten some persons. However, instead of allowing forest authorities to handle the matter appropriately, a few individuals and a forest guard took the matter into their own hands and resorted to violence, even as the langur was caught and helpless.
The langur is currently under observation and treatment at the Jawaharlal Nehru Biological Park (Bokaro Zoo) and is expected to be released.
Following the incident, the Forest Department submitted a complaint to Harla Police Station against three named individuals, including Mr. Mantu Singh, a Home Guard jawan posted at the Chas Forest Division, which promptly registered a First Information Report (FIR) against all three individuals. The FIR was registered under Sections 291 and 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960. The Forest Department also registered a POR under Section 9 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. Reportedly, Mr. Mantu Singh has been suspended.
Conflicts between humans and wildlife cannot be solved by hurting and killing animals. Town planning must include forest protection, and human encroachment into wild animals’ shrinking habitats must be curbed. PETA India commends Shri Rajnish Kumar, IFS, Divisional Forest Officer, Bokaro, for registering the POR, sending a strong message that cruelty to animals will not be tolerated. PETA India urges compassionate individuals to stay vigilant and report any instances of cruelty to wildlife or other animals to the appropriate authorities, such as the police or forest department.
In the forests where they belong, Hanuman langurs live in groups of up to a hundred. They spend much of their time playing, grooming, and engaging in other social activities. Family members are always on the lookout for danger and quickly run to defend their loved ones.
