Bengaluru, Jan. 2 -- Karnataka Forest, Environment and Ecology Minister Eshwar B. Khandre has ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the death of a pregnant leopard in the Basavanatara forest area of the Kaggalipura range in Bengaluru Urban district, amid allegations that illegal stone quarrying may have caused the incident.

The carcass of the female leopard, estimated to be three to four years old, was found in the forest area on December 26. A post-mortem examination later revealed that the animal was pregnant with three cubs.

The inquiry was ordered following serious allegations raised by Yeshwanthpur MLA S.T. Somashekar, who claimed that stone quarrying and mining activities were being carried out illegally in and around the forest ar...