A young male elephant died at a village in Banarhat block of Jalpaiguri on Tuesday night after it came in contact with a live wire laid on a farm to prevent jumbo entry.

The state forest department has filed a case against the farm owner.

Sources said on Tuesday night, a herd of wild elephants came from Moraghat forest and entered Ravabusty in Banarhat block, devouring paddy. Later, villagers heard an elephant honking loudly. On Wednesday morning, the carcass was found. Janmejoy Pal, additional DFO of Jalpaiguri wildlife division, said: “The vets confirmed electroc¬ution. Laying live wires to deter elephants is illegal.”