District Collector R J Patel said the big cat had sneaked into Tirath village and was hiding in a field behind a school.

Following news of the leopard attack, forest officers, policemen and revenue department officials rushed to the village with tranquilisers and a cage. But by then, villagers had cornered the animal and beaten it to death.

Patel said: “This is a serious incident of people killing a leopard, which is an endangered species under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972.”

Range Forest Officer B M Chaudhri said: “As many as nine villagers including a forest guard were injured by a leopard in Tirath village. Forest Guard R K Purohit has been rushed to a private hospital with multiple fractures. He had a fight with the leopard.”