Full Breakdown
Monkey Attack Leads to Death of 91-Year-Old Woman in Karnataka
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
On a Saturday evening in September 2026, 91-year-old Najamunnisa Begum was knocked down outside her home in the BT Patil Nagar neighbourhood of Koppal district, Karnataka. CCTV captured a monkey leaping toward her, causing her to lose balance and suffer a head injury. She was taken to a private hospital, appeared to improve, but died the following day. The footage also shows her daughter rushing to help, the monkey turning toward the daughter, and locals intervening before the animal fled.
Background of Monkey Encounters
Najamunnisa’s death adds to recent monkey-related fatalities involving elderly women:
- September 10, 2026 – 55-year-old woman in Gabhana, Aligarh, fell from a rooftop while escaping monkeys.
- September 14, 2026 – Woman in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, fell from a rooftop after a sudden monkey attack.
- March 2026 – 65-year-old Chinna Bulli died in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, after being chased by monkeys.
These cases have raised concerns about increasing aggressive wildlife in urban areas.
Official Responses
- Medical report – PTI noted that Najamunnisa was hospitalized, initially seemed to recover, but her condition worsened and she died the next day.
- Law-enforcement – The forest department said urban monkeys are outside its jurisdiction, limiting official intervention.
- Local governance – In Manesar, the municipal corporation pledged to investigate monkey-related safety hazards after similar incidents, reflecting broader governmental attention.
Impact and Community Reaction
The CCTV video, viewed over seven million times on X, sparked online commentary and local protests. Koppal residents demanded INR5 lakh compensation for Najamunnisa’s family and called for stronger measures to control the “monkey menace” in residential neighborhoods. The incident has intensified debate over wildlife management and the safety of elderly residents in urban settings.
Data & Statistics
| Date | Location | Victim’s Age | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 10 2026 | Gabhana, Aligarh | 55 | Fatal fall |
| Sep 14 2026 | Shimla, Himachal Pradesh | — | Fatal fall |
| Mar 2026 | Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh | 65 | Fatal fall |
| Sep 2026 (Saturday) | BT Patil Nagar, Koppal | 91 | Fatal injuries |
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Name spelling – Sources list “Najamunnisa Begum,” “Najamunisa Begum,” and “Najmunnisa Begum,” all referring to the wife of writer M.S. Savadatti.
- Nature of the attack – Descriptions vary between “attacking,” “jumping on,” or “pushing” the victim. CCTV shows a sudden leap that caused the fall, but the animal’s intent is unclear.
- Jurisdiction – The forest department’s claim that urban monkeys are outside its remit leaves a regulatory gap; no agency has been identified as responsible for managing such conflicts in Koppal.
Further investigation is needed to clarify the cause of the fall, legal responsibilities for wildlife control in urban Karnataka, and the broader pattern of monkey-related injuries.