A 52-year-old farmer was arrested by Veppakuppam police on Wednesday for erecting illegal electric fence on his farmland that killed three persons in Ramanayanikuppam village near Amirthi Zoological Park in Vellore a day ago.
Police said the arrested farmer, V. Sankar, from Kuppampattu village had taken a three-acre farmland on lease in neighbouring Ramanayanikuppam village to cultivate paddy for the season.
Initial inquiry revealed that Sankar had erected illegal electrical fencing to prevent wild animals, especially wild boards, from damaging the crops as the village is located at the foothills of Jawadhu Hills.
Police said S. Janakiraman, 55, and his two sons J. Vikas, 25, and J. Jeeva, 22, went to check new saplings in their farm nursery, which is located adjacent to the paddy field, the previous day. As they were checking different plant species at various spots in the nursery, Janakiraman accidentally stepped on the snapped live electric wire. After hearing Janakiraman’s cry, his three sons rushed to the spot but they were also electrocuted as they stepped on the same live-wire.
Police said S. Janakiraman, 55, went to check new saplings in their farm nursery, which is located adjacent to the paddy field the previous day. As they were checking different plant species at various spots in the nursery, Janakiraman accidentally stepped on the snapped live electric wire. After hearing Janakiraman’s cry, his three sons rushed to the spot but they also stepped on the same live-wire.
Janakiraman and his two sons died on the spot while his other son, J. Lokesh, 23, was badly injured. A case was registered. Investigation found that Sankar had extended the fencing to cover a portion of the nursery as it is located near his land.
Police analysed mobile phone signals of Sankar, who was arrested from his hideout in the village. Later, he was lodged at Central Prison in Vellore. Further probe is under way.
Published – December 03, 2025 11:53 pm IST
