The Odisha government has revoked the suspension of Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Suryakant Behera, who was suspended earlier this year in connection with the controversial elephant death case in Kandhamal district’s Balliguda Forest Division.Following the revocation of his suspension, Behera has been posted as Enforcement ACF in the Regional Chief Conservator of Forests (RCCF) office in Bhubaneswar.Behera was suspended on January 31, 2026, after an inquiry by the RCCF, Berhampur Circle, allegedly found that he had failed to act appropriately despite being aware of the circumstances surrounding the death of a female elephant in the Belghar Range of Balliguda Division.The elephant had reportedly died of electrocution on January 15. The incident triggered widespread outrage after allegations surfaced that forest officials attempted to suppress facts related to the case.During the investigation, forest authorities alleged that Behera had withheld or suppressed the inquiry report despite being aware of the actual circumstances of the elephant’s death. Based on the findings, the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department placed him under suspension pending disciplinary proceedings under the Odisha Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1962.In connection with the case, Belghar Range Officer Binay Bishi and his driver were arrested earlier for allegedly trying to conceal the electrocution death of the elephant.The suspension of Behera had been viewed as a significant disciplinary action amid public criticism over alleged negligence and lapses in wildlife protection within the Balliguda Forest Division.With the latest order, the state government has reinstated Behera and assigned him a new posting at the RCCF office in Bhubaneswar. However, officials have not yet disclosed whether the disciplinary proceedings initiated against him have been concluded or the grounds on which the suspension was revoked.The elephant death case had drawn considerable attention from wildlife activists and conservationists, who had demanded strict action against those responsible for the incident and any subsequent attempts to suppress facts related to the matter
Odisha: ACF Suryakant Behera suspended in Baliguda elephant death case reinstated, gets new posting
