SHOCKING footage shows the moment a rickshaw driver was brutally trampled to death by an elephant on a crowded street.
Vijay Holkar, 49, was feeding the a lump of jaggery – a traditional Indian sweet treat – when he was suddenly knocked to the ground on July 25.
Shocking footage shows the moment a rickshaw driver was brutally trampled to death by an elephant Credit: Tahir Ibn Manzoor
Vijay Holkar had been feeding the animal just moments before Credit: Tahir Ibn Manzoor
Footage shows the turn on the driver in a busy street in Chandan Nagar, India, after its handler reportedly struck it on the head with a stick.
It is then seen wrapping its trunk around Vijay, thrusting him to the ground and stomping aggressively on his legs, back and abdomen.
The recording shows Vijay struggling to get back up as the elephant crushes him on the tarmac before eventually abandoning him.
The unfolded in front of a crowd of stunned onlookers near the Raj Nagar police station.
The attack unfolded on Saturday on a busy street in front of a crowd of horrified onlookers Credit: Tahir Ibn Manzoor
Vijay tragically died from his injuries, after being transferred to a private hospital Credit: Tahir Ibn Manzoor
The elephant was reportedly being led through the city by a group of holy men who were collecting donations.
Vijay is understood to have approached the animal to feed it before disaster struck.
He was rushed to a state with severe injuries and was later transferred to a private hospital, where he tragically died.
Witnesses in the area said the animal had appeared docile prior to the attack, which happened in a matter of seconds.
Tilak Karole, in charge of the Chandan Nagar police, said a examination revealed Vijay had died from serious internal bleeding.
Police say an investigation is now underway to establish whether permission had been acquired from forest officials to parade the elephant through a bustling, urban area.
The handler, known locally as Umesh Goswami, was subsequently arrested and accused of failing to keep the elephant under control.
Goswami has been booked under sections 106 and 291 of India’s Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita – the country’s criminal code covering death by negligence and of an animal.
Elephants are regarded as sacred animals in many parts of India and are occasionally used by religious groups to collect donations.
The practice continues despite rising concerns from welfare campaigners over treatment of the animals.
The shocking attack follows , whereby a herd of elephants trampled six people to death – including a three-month old baby.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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