Ravindra Jadeja pays fine following ‘Tiger picture’ controversy

The Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF), Junagadh, AP Singh has stated that Indian cricketer Ravindra Jadeja has paid the fine following his infamous ‘Tiger picture’ that he clicked on a visit to the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary at Sasan. The Indian all-rounder, who has been picked in the squad for the third Test against the West Indies was in the news for a while due to the picture he inadvertently posted on his official Instagram account.

AP Singh added that Jadeja’s father-in-law Hardevsinh Solanki, a resident of Rajkot, gave the statement on behalf of Jadeja and paid the fine recently since the latter was out of the country.

“We have collected Rs. 20,000 fine from Jadeja for flouting rules inside the sanctuary during his visit in June. Since he was not available, we have taken the statement from his father-in-law, who also paid the fine on Jadeja’s behalf,” Singh said, adding that the inquiry report is yet to be sent to authorities.

The Forest Department also reportedly probed an inquiry into the case following photos of Ravindra Jadeja and his newly-wed wife Reeva Solanki were seen standing on the ground and posing in front of lions, went viral on social media platforms.

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The Lion Safari is one of the major hotspots of the Gir National Wildlife Sanctuary. Although photography is not prohibited, alighting a safari jeep is something that is. “Penalty and inquiry report are two different things. The inquiry report will be sent to higher authorities after we finalize it. Action against the forest staff would be taken based on the findings of the report,” Singh added.