Supreme Court Orders Kerala to Take Custody of Elephant Raman Amid Ownership Dispute
India's Supreme Court has directed the Kerala government to take custody of an elephant named Raman and place it in a rescue center, citing violations of an earlier order prohibiting commercial and temple use. The order came after the court found that Raman, described as Kerala's tallest elephant, had been subjected to commercial exploitation despite an undertaking to the court prohibiting such use. The interim custody decision prioritizes the animal's welfare while the court resolves the underlying ownership dispute between multiple claimants.
The Supreme Court Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma issued an interim order on June 9, 2026, directing Kerala to assume custody of Raman, a tusker at the center of a prolonged ownership dispute. The order followed a contempt petition alleging that Krishnankutty, who held temporary custody, violated a court undertaking from August 2025 by continuing to use the elephant in temple festivals and commercial activities. The dispute involves multiple parties, including Jayakrishnan Menon (who initially obtained interim custody in December 2023 with a ₹25 lakh bond) and the Mata Amritanandamayi Mutt. The court emphasized that it cannot remain a "mute spectator" when animal welfare is at stake, and the temporary custody arrangement will remain in effect until the ownership question is finally resolved. The judges directed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to inspect Raman and report on its health and well-being.
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- The HinduCenter
Supreme Court says it cannot be a mute spectator, orders Kerala to take charge of tusker amid ownership row
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