A leopard that entered a small alcohol store in Todaraisingh, Rajasthan, on July 19 attacked three people, including a forest ranger volunteer and two shop workers, before being trapped inside the shop. The incident, captured on video, went viral online.
Leopard Enters Town, Attacks Forest Ranger
The big cat first appeared in bushes on the outskirts of Todaraisingh around 8:45 am. A forest ranger volunteer who went to investigate reported sightings was attacked before he could raise the alarm. The leopard then moved deeper into the town and pushed its way into a small alcohol store, where two workers were caught off guard.
Salesman Fights Off Leopard Inside Store
Video footage shows 25-year-old salesman Sanjay Gurjar grappling with the leopard as it lunged at him. He managed to pull himself free from its grip and threw himself over a counter when the animal released him. The second worker was also attacked before the cat lost interest and began pacing. The leopard eventually crawled under a table, nearly bringing down a shelf stacked with bottles. Gurjar locked the animal inside the store, preventing further attacks on the street outside.
Rescue Operation and Hospitalisation
A rescue team arrived at around 2 pm and began a controlled operation to tranquillise and capture the leopard. All three victims were taken to hospital. The forest ranger volunteer was treated and discharged, while the two shop workers were transferred to a second facility for further care.
Separate Fatal Leopard Attack in Uttar Pradesh
The Rajasthan incident came days after a separate fatal leopard attack in Uttar Pradesh, roughly 400 miles away. Ram Yadav, 88, was asleep on his veranda when a leopard seized him and began dragging him towards nearby woods. Family members drove the animal away with weapons, but Yadav suffered severe injuries, including wounds to his neck, and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
Context: Indian Students Choosing Europe
Earlier reports noted that Indian students are increasingly turning to Europe for postgraduate education as US visa rules tighten and costs rise. A new EU-India trade deal has introduced structured mobility pathways that consultants said could drive a 60–70% jump in student flows. European tuition fees are typically 50–80% lower than in the US, with countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy seeing rising Indian enrolments.
