Lioness Kills 30-Year-Old Man, Drags Him For 300 Metres in Gujarat, Family Refuses to Accept Body

A labourer, Maheshbhai Pratapbhai Rathod, 30, was killed in a lioness attack in Valadar village of Kodinar taluka in Gujarat’s Gir-Somnath district. The lioness reportedly dragged him around 300 metres into a nearby field while he was sleeping outside his house. The incident created fear and anger among local residents.

The family initially refused to accept his body and demanded compensation of ₹40 lakh and the immediate capture of the lioness. They said the Forest Department must take urgent action to protect people from wild animal attacks. The family accepted the body after senior forest officials and local residents tried to convince them.

How the Lioness Attack Took Place

Maheshbhai had been working as a labourer in Porbandar for around two months. He returned home after his grandfather's death. On the night of the incident, he was alone at home and was sleeping outside when the lioness attacked him.

The next morning, his family and villagers searched for him after finding that he was missing. During the search, they noticed dragging marks and footprints leading towards a nearby field. After searching the area for around 300 metres, they found his badly damaged body.

Family Demands Compensation and Safety Measures

Maheshbhai's death has left five young children, including three daughters and two sons, without their father. Villagers said they had repeatedly raised concerns with the Forest Department about wild animals moving dangerously near the village. They expressed anger over the lack of adequate safety measures in the area.

Following the incident, the Forest Department placed cages at four locations to capture the lioness and began efforts to catch it. The family and villagers demanded stronger protection for residents and proper financial support for the bereaved family. The incident has raised fresh concerns about the safety of people living near wildlife areas in Gir-Somnath district.