The accused — GD Shivakumar, Narayanappa and Chandrashekar, all residents of Gauragondanahalli village in Tumakuru taluk — were remanded in judicial custody.
More arrests are likely, officials said.
The incident took place on farmland owned by Narayanappa at the foothills of a hill. Frustrated by the crop loss, a sharp wire snare was allegedly set around the field to protect the remaining crop.
Nearly half of his ragi crop had been destroyed by wild boars, peacocks and leopards coming down from the nearby hill, according to the Forest Department.
Officials said the accused admitted to burning the leopard and confirmed that the recovered charred meat belonged to the animal. They were taken to the district hospital for medical examination and later produced before a court, which remanded them in judicial custody. The partially burnt carcass was taken to the Sub-Divisional Forest Department office.
Further investigation is underway, officials said.
