Bengaluru, June 8 -- The Karnataka Forest Department has suspended a Forest Range Officer in connection with the recent incident in which three individuals were found consuming alcohol inside the core zone of the Bandipur Tiger Reserve.

The action comes after photographs of the liquor party went viral on social media, triggering widespread outrage among wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists.

The suspended officer has been identified as D Puneeth Kumar, the Range Forest Officer of the Maddur Wildlife Range. The suspension order was issued after the department found lapses in supervision and alleged dereliction of duty in allowing unauthorised individuals access to a protected area.

The controversy erupted when photographs surfaced o...