A video purportedly featuring the fourth person who fled from the spot of the alleged exchange of fire between suspected poachers and Forest Department personnel in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary is doing the rounds on social media.

Three persons suspected of poaching were killed in the reported incident at Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary in Hanur taluk of Chamarajanagar district early on Saturday (August 15). The fourth person, identified as Mayima Das, reportedly fled the spot.

In the video, the man claims that Forest Department personnel reached the spot around 5.30 a.m. and opened fire. He says he was frightened and fled down the hill.

He further claims that he did not hear any sound for about five minutes after fleeing the spot. According to him, he later returned home as he was unwell and subsequently admitted himself to a hospital.

The man also expresses apprehension that Forest Department personnel may be searching for him to question him as a witness in the case. He appeals to the police to look into the matter and provide him with protection.

The claims made in the video could not be independently verified.

The fourth man accompanying the three suspected poachers was earlier reported to have been admitted to a private hospital in Mysuru, where Chamarajanagar district in-charge Minister C. Puttarangashetty visited him on Saturday (August 15). He reportedly became untraceable after being discharged from the hospital.

The Forest Department and police are yet to publicly respond to the specific allegations made in the video.

Published - August 18, 2026 08:57 pm IST