Amreli Man Killed After Alleged Harassment of Mating Lions, 2 Arrested

Two surviving accused arrested and remanded to Forest Department custody; investigation finds group allegedly approached lions during mating before attack

The Forest Department has registered an offence against three persons, including a 21-year-old man who was killed in a lion attack, after concluding that the group allegedly disturbed a pair of mating Asiatic lions near Antaliya village in Amreli district.

The incident occurred late on Thursday near Antaliya village in Liliya taluka, where Sohil Mujawar and two of his friends had reportedly gone to watch lions in the wild. During the encounter, a lion attacked Sohil, who died at the scene.

Investigation points to disturbance during lion mating

According to the Forest Department, the three men allegedly approached and disturbed the lions while they were mating, violating provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act.

Following its investigation, the department registered a case against the deceased Sohil Mujawar, along with Yashrajsinh Vaja Rathod and Rehan Khan Pathan, for allegedly harassing protected wildlife.

Two accused arrested, remanded to custody

Forest officials arrested Yashrajsinh Vaja Rathod and Rehan Khan Pathan and produced them before a local court in Liliya.

The court granted the Forest Department two days' custody of both accused to facilitate further investigation into the incident.

Forest Department issues strict warning

Officials said the department is treating incidents involving harassment of wildlife with utmost seriousness and has instructed field staff to take strict action against anyone found disturbing wild animals, particularly during sensitive periods such as mating.