Palapitta Release Backfires: Forest Dept Books Case Against TPCC Chief's Event
Telangana Forest officials book case after video of TPCC chief Mahesh Kumar Goud releasing a caged Palapitta goes viral.
What was intended to be an auspicious gesture during a festive celebration has turned into a legal nightmare. The Telangana Forest Department has registered a wildlife case following a viral video showing the release of a Palapitta release case involving TPCC President and MLC Mahesh Kumar Goud during a Dussehra event in Uppal, Hyderabad.
The Viral Incident
The controversy erupted after footage surfaced on social media depicting individuals handing over a caged Palapitta, commonly known as the Indian Roller, to Mahesh Kumar Goud. The TPCC chief then released the bird into the sky as part of the Dussehra festivities at the Uppal Mini Stadium. While the act was likely meant to align with local traditions, it sparked immediate backlash from netizens and caught the attention of wildlife authorities.
In Telangana, sighting a Palapitta during Dussehra is traditionally considered a sign of good luck. However, this belief often leads to the illegal trapping and caging of the birds, a practice the government has been fighting to eradicate.
Defying Official Warnings
The incident is particularly significant because it occurred despite explicit warnings from the administration. Prior to the festival, Hyderabad Commissioner of Police V.C. Sajjanar had issued a stern advisory. The police had cautioned the public against keeping Palapitta birds in cages or clipping their wings, warning that strict legal action would be taken against violators. A toll-free number had even been provided for citizens to report such wildlife crimes.
Legal Action and Charges
Following the social media outcry, the Forest Department acted swiftly. A wildlife case (POR No. 16-03/2025-26, dated 21.10.2026) has been registered. The charges have been filed under several stringent sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, specifically Sections 2, 9, 39(3) read with 57, 51, and 52, as well as Section 35 of the BNSS.
The individuals preliminarily identified and booked in the case include:
- Eega Chandra Shekar, son of E. Venkatesh, a resident of Uppal.
- P. Parameshwar Reddy, son of the late P. Krishna Reddy, also a resident of Uppal.
- Other unidentified individuals involved in the incident.
What Happens Next?
Forest officials have confirmed that the investigation is currently in progress. Legal notices have already been issued to the concerned persons following standard legal procedures. Once the investigation is concluded, the department intends to initiate further legal proceedings and produce the accused before the competent Magistrate.
The investigation aims to uncover the full circumstances of how the bird was captured and caged before it reached the event, ensuring that all parties responsible for the wildlife violation are held accountable.