Kerala pregnant elephant's death: Maximum punishment that culprits can get

Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of the Tata group and one of India's leading businessmen, said "justice needs to prevail". People are now demanding strict action against the accused

A pregnant elephant in Kerala died recently after eating a pineapple containing firecracker, which exploded in her mouth. There was an outrage on social media following an emotional apology post by forest officer Mohan Krishnan detailing how the animal died. A criminal investigation into suspected cruelty towards animals has since been initiated.

Forestry officials said the incident happened on May 23 in the Palakkad district of Kerala, near a farmland where locals sometimes scattered fruit spiked with firecrackers to discourage animals from damaging crops. "We only know that the injury (to the elephant) was caused by some explosive substance," said