Supreme Court Acquits Forest Ranger in Trekkers' Tragic Deaths Due to Forest Fire

Supreme Court rules forest fire as an act of God, discharges ranger from criminal charges.

In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India has acquitted a Forest Ranger, Jeyasingh, who was accused in connection with the tragic deaths of trekkers during a forest fire in Tamil Nadu. The Court ruled that the forest fire was an instance of vis major (act of God), thereby absolving the ranger of criminal liability. The bench, comprising Justices B.V. Nagarathna and R. Mahadevan, delivered the judgment on November 18, 2025, in the case of Jeyasingh v. State Rep. By The Inspector Of Police, Tamil Nadu.

The incident dates back to March 2018, when two trekking groups, including members of the Chennai Trekking Club, embarked on an expedition from Kolukkumalai to Kurangani. The groups were caught in a sudden and devastating forest fire, leading to the deaths of several trekkers due to burn injuries and smoke inhalation.

Initially, the case was registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Sections 304 Part II (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), and 304A (causing death by negligence). The Forest Ranger, Jeyasingh, was accused of facilitating the trek without due diligence, thereby exposing the trekkers to danger.

However, the Supreme Court, in its detailed analysis, found no evidence of negligence or criminal intent on the part of the Forest Ranger. The judgment emphasized that the deaths were a result of a natural calamity, which could not be foreseen or prevented by the ranger. The Court highlighted that mere employment as a Forest Ranger does not establish liability in the absence of negligence or intent.

The apex court's decision overturns the earlier rulings of the Sessions Court and the High Court, which had dismissed the discharge petitions filed by Jeyasingh. The Supreme Court's judgment reaffirms the principle that criminal liability cannot be imposed in cases where the cause of the incident is a natural act beyond human control.

This ruling provides significant clarity on the application of criminal law in cases involving natural disasters, reinforcing the notion that individuals cannot be held liable for acts of nature. The judgment also sets a precedent for future cases where natural calamities result in loss of life, underscoring the importance of distinguishing between acts of God and human negligence.

Bottom Line:

The deaths of trekkers in a forest fire, which is an instance of vis major (act of God), do not attract criminal liability under Sections 304 Part II, 326, 338, and 304A IPC against a Forest Ranger who facilitated the trekking expedition without any negligence or criminal intent being established.

Statutory provision(s): Indian Penal Code, 1860 - Sections 304 Part II, 326, 338, 304A; Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 - Section 227.

Jeyasingh v. State Rep. By The Inspector Of Police, Tamil Nadu, (SC) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2821808