This horrifying event unfolded when Masqood, in a fateful decision, chose to cross the safety barrier that was designed to protect zoo visitors from the animals, ultimately leading to him losing his balance and falling into the tiger’s enclosure.
In a tragic misstep, he tripped and fell into the enclosure of the white tiger, landing in the dry moat below.
In a desperate plea for mercy, Masqood was seen frantically waving his hands in front of his face, attempting to persuade the 200kg tiger to spare his life.
Vijay pounced on him, seizing his neck in its formidable jaws and dragging him to the back of the enclosure.
A witness, known only as Himanshu, later recounted to the media that Masqood endured excruciating pain for at least 15 minutes before his death.
Sadly, these attempts were to no avail.
Powerless in this dire situation, both the authorities and the onlookers could only watch in horror as Masqood eventually succumbed to his injuries and ceased struggling against the inevitable.
he zoo guards faced difficulties in moving the tiger to a smaller containment area to safely retrieve the body.
Ishrat, Masqood’s mother, shared her heartbreak with the press:
The case was registered by investigating officers as a death ‘due to negligence’ against unidentified individuals at the time of the tragic event.