HC orders forest dept to save elephant used for begging

A division bench comprising Justice S Manikumar and Justice Subramonium Prasad before whom the plea seeking to rescue the elephant came, said “Though the report of the District Level Captive Elephant Welfare Committee on January 23, 2019 that the elephant is taken care of properly and that the custody of the elephant can be retained with the care taker, the fact that the elephant has been used for begging and that the care taker has been fined for five times, cannot be brushed aside.”

“The last incident of imposition of fine of Rs.25,000 on August 01, 2018 for begging, is after the filing of the instant writ petition. Even taking it for granted, that the elephant is adequately fed and taken care, the way the elephant has been used, cannot be ignored. Disregard to the statutory rules, is apparent on the face of record,” the bench held while directing the PCCF to decide the application, for transfer of ownership certificate, forthwith. The petitioner S Muralidharan, claiming to be an avid animal lover, sought for a direction to the PCCF, to take possession of Elephant –Malachi, from Indira, and to maintain it in any rejuvenation camp. He had contended that Malachi, about 34 years, was owned by one Masan, in Andaman. She wanted to gift Malachi to Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple and for that purpose, she gifted the elephant to Indira. But she did not handover the elephant to the temple, instead used it for begging and for marriage functions, among others.

Besides not feeding her properly and making her walk on hot tar roads, both her front and back legs are tied using heavy chain in violation of Prevention to Cruelty to Animals Act and other rules framed for the protection of captive elephants. However, Indira, denied all allegations and contended that the elephant was not used for begging, but when the elephant walks on the road, people themselves come and offer money.