By Matters India Reporter
BENGALURU, August 18, 2026: The Archdiocese of Bangalore has called for an independent judicial inquiry into the deaths of three men allegedly shot by Forest Department personnel in the Chikkallur Reserved Forest area of Karnataka’s Hanur taluk.
In a statement dated August 17, Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore said the Christian community expressed “deep shock, anguish and concern” over the deaths of Antony Swamy, 50, John Rose Peter, 42, and Anthony Kumar, 33.
“We strongly condemn the loss of these three lives and extend our heartfelt condolences and prayers to their bereaved families,” the statement said.
The archdiocese said allegations of trespassing, poaching or other unlawful activities “cannot, by themselves, justify the use of lethal force to kill anyone.” It added that any use of firearms by law enforcement or forest personnel “must be strictly necessary, proportionate and consistent with the law.”
The statement raised questions about whether there was an “immediate and credible threat” to forest personnel and called for “an independent, impartial and transparent investigation.”
Machado urged the Karnataka government to order a judicial inquiry led by a sitting judge and provide compensation and employment support to the victims’ families.
According to The Hindu, tension prevailed in Hanur, Karnataka, after three suspected poachers were killed in an alleged shootout with Forest Department personnel inside the Holemuradatti forest on the night of August 14.
A crowd allegedly vandalized the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary office, prompting authorities to deploy additional police forces, including three platoons of reserve police, to maintain order.
The Hindu reported that a group of six suspected poachers allegedly opened fire on forest personnel during a night patrol after being asked to surrender. Forest officials reportedly returned fire, killing three suspects.
Two died at the scene, while a third died on the way to a hospital. One Forest Department staff member was injured in the incident.