BENGALURU, May 23 -- The Karnataka Upa Lokayukta has initiated suo motu proceedings against two forest officials over the deaths of a tourist and a captive elephant at the Dubare Elephant Camp in Kodagu district, holding them prima facie responsible for negligence and administrative lapses.

Upa Lokayukta Justice KN Phaneendra registered the case against A Gopal, Assistant Conservator of Forests of the Somwarpet subdivision, and BK Rakshit, Range Forest Officer of Kushalnagar, following the May 18 incident at the popular tourist camp.

The action came after media reports and public concern surrounding the tragedy, in which a 33-year-old tourist from Tamil Nadu died during a violent clash between two elephants inside the camp premises. A c...