India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has landed in trouble after posing with his wife in front of a pride of Asiatic lions at the Gir National Park and Sanctuary (GNPS). Jadeja had posted some pictures on social media and it went viral in no time.
During a safari in Sasan, Gir, Jadeja reportedly got down from his vehicle in the core area and posed for pictures with his wife, in front of lions. He even clicked selfies with fans and forest guards.
The Gujarat Forest Department has ordered an inquiry against the Gujarat Lions all-rounder, as tourists are not allowed to get down from their vehicles during a safari inside the jungle.
"GNPS is a protected forest and tourists are not allowed to get down from vehicles while inside the jungle. But pictures showing the cricketer having got down from vehicle in the jungle and and having taken selfies with lions are circulating on social media," chief conservator of forests (CCF) of Junagadh wildlife circle, Aniruddh Pratap Singh, was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.
"Even some forest guards are seen with him in photographs. Therefore, we have ordered GNPS superintendent to conduct an inquiry into the incident and file a report."
GNPS superintendent Ram Ratan Nala, who was not present in his office at the time of the incident, said that Jadeja, who is a native of Jamnagar district in Saurashtra region of Gujarat, should not have got down from his vehicle, as it is an offence.
"We have come to know that Jadeja got down from vehicle and took selfies with lions. Two range forest officers also happened to be in that part of the jungle at that time. We are inquiring into the incident and it is difficult at this juncture to tell what offence is made out against him. But merely getting down in the sanctuary is an offence," Nala added.
Here are some pictures posted by Jadeja on social media:
