Supreme Court Orders Kerala To Take Custody Of Elephant Raman For Rehabilitation

The Supreme Court of India has directed the Kerala government to take custody of an elephant named Raman, described as the tallest in the state at 10.53 feet, and shift it to an appropriate rehabilitation centre, observing that the well-being of voiceless animals is of paramount importance .

A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma noted that Raman had been subjected to commercial exploitation and repeated use in ceremonial processions and rituals , despite earlier court restraint on such practices. The court expressed strong concern over what it called wilful defiance of its earlier directions , stating that it could not remain a “mute spectator” to the continued exploitation of the animal.

“It is truly unfortunate that the elephant has been subjected to commercial exploitation despite an order restraining such exploitation, that too on the strength of an undertaking made before this court,” the bench observed, highlighting the seriousness of the violation.

The court held Krishnankutty, who retained custody of Raman based on a contested will, guilty of contempt for violating an undertaking given to the apex court. It imposed a fine of ₹2,000 on him for the breach.

At the same time, the court clarified that its direction transferring custody of Raman is temporary in nature and will remain subject to final orders in the case. It also allowed the state to take care of the elephant at its own expense and to issue necessary administrative orders in accordance with statutory safeguards under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

The bench also discharged the state authorities from contempt proceedings, noting that they had made efforts to conduct a medical inspection of the elephant.

The matter originated from a contempt petition filed by Jayakrishna Menon, who claimed that Raman belonged to the Mata Amritanandamayi Mutt and had been given only for temporary care. Krishnankutty, however, argued that he lawfully acquired the elephant through gift deeds and had been maintaining it for over a decade.