Kolar, Jan 8(DHNS): A 60-year-old man and his grandson were mauled to death by a leopard at N Gollahalli village in Vakkaleri hobli of Kolar taluk late on Tuesday night.

The deceased have been identified as Venkatappa and his daughter’s son Mahesh (14). Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Jagadish told reporters that both had been to their land for installing a light to deter wild boars from attacking the crop, when a leopard attacked them.

The incident came to light on Wednesday when morning walkers spotted the two bodies.

“On the face it, both appear to have been killed by the leopard. However, a postmortem report will confirm the cause of death,” Jagadish said.
The bodies bore claw injuries. The two-wheeler by which the victims were travelling was found nearby.

Hundreds of villagers who gathered at the spot alleged that the forest officials did not turn up even hours after the incident. They said Venkatappa had grown potato and marigold on his land situated at the foothills of Antaragange hills range.

He had drawn a pipeline for around one and half kilometre to irrigate his land from a borewell. This is the first such incident in the last eight decades, locals said.

The DCF said the families of the victims were entitled to a compensation of Rs five lakh each and immediate steps would be taken for the release of the money.

He said steps would also be taken to trap the leopard and release it into the Bannerghatta forests. Deputy Commissioner Dr Trilok Chandra K V, Superintendent of Police Ajay Hilori and Kolar MLA Varthur Prakash visited the spot.