Mysore/Mysuru, Aug. 13 -- Pays Rs. 25,000 fine; signs a written admission of guilt

A man who narrowly escaped death after provoking a wild elephant in Bandipur Tiger Reserve has been fined Rs. 25,000 by the Forest Department officials and made to sign a written admission of guilt. His cautionary statement is now being used in a public awareness campaign on social media.

The incident occurred on Aug. 10 along National Highway 181 in the Bandipur range. As a wild elephant crossed the road and pulled a carrot sack from a vegetable truck, the man, identified as R. Basavaraju from Nanjangud, stepped out of his car to take a selfie and film the scene. The elephant charged at him, forcing him to flee for his life.

Forest officials, who later ...