Peacock killed in DLF-5 after being hit by car

According to the CCTV camera footage of the incident, which has been accessed by HT, the incident took place around 6.30pm, when a white car of Mercedes made a turn towards the Camellias residential society from the Golf Drive inside DLF-5

A three-year-old male peacock was killed after being hit by a speeding car on Monday evening in DLF-5, the police said. However, a case is yet to be filed into the incident.

The peacock died after being hit by the car. (CCTV footage)

The police said that they received a call around 10.30pm from a man who identified himself as a supervisor, following which a team from the Sushant Lok police station and wildlife officials recovered the carcass.

According to the CCTV camera footage of the incident, which has been accessed by HT, the incident took place at 6.45pm, when a white car of Mercedes made a turn towards the Camellias residential society from the Golf Drive inside DLF-5.

Rajesh Chahal, a wildlife inspector, said that the peacock died on the spot and an autopsy of the carcass was done on Tuesday. “The post-mortem examination report revealed that the bird was hit on its head and neck portion and died on the spot, but all the feathers of the bird were intact. The bird was consigned to flames with full national honours at the Sultanpur National Park on Tuesday,” he said.

Peacock is listed under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, as is the National Bird of India. Officials said that killing a peacock is a serious offence that can attract a prison sentence of three to seven years or a fine of up to ₹25,000 or both.

Chahal said they tried reaching out to the mobile number from which they received the call, but it was switched off due to which they could not record a statement of the supervisor.

Sanjeev Balhara, an assistant commissioner of police, said that they have not received any complaint, from either a resident or wildlife department officials. “We will take action against the driver of the car that hit the peacock once the statement of the person who informed is recorded. The wildlife department is also conducting an investigation. We have received the car’s registration number and the owner has been identified as a resident of Aralias in DLF-5,” he said.

Balhara said that the driver was speeding, entered the complex through Gate Number 2 and took a left turn towards the residential area.

A circular, sent by DLF’s customer engagement team on Tuesday informing the residents regarding the incident, stated, “As you are aware the peacocks, partridges and other exotic birds have made the sanctuary their home and we are richer and blessed to have their beauty and presence in the DLF Golf Links. To prevent such unfortunate incidents again, we are reiterating that speeding on the Golf Drive is not permitted. We urge the residents and their guests to strictly adhere to the set speed limits.”

Requisite signage will be installed on the Golf Drive in consultation with the forest department, to bring awareness about the wildlife around us, the circular stated.

Despite repeated calls and messages, officials of DLF did not respond to requests for comment.