The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that the state government cannot issue ownership papers to any person in possession of elephants in the state.
Further, the SC directed that persons in possession of elephants cannot transfer the animals out of the state nor “part with the elephants by way of transfer in any manner.”
According to a report by The Hindu, the SC bench comprising Justice Dipak Misra and Shiva Kirti Singh was hearing a writ petition filed by several animal rights activists and NGO’s like the Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, which highlighted the torture faced by privately owned elephants in the state.
Also, any ownership certificate issued by the state government in the meantime will be withdrawn until the court pronounces the final judgement in the case.
On February 26, 2016, based on a government notification, the State had issued ownership certificates to elephant owners.
NGOs had sent a legal notice to the state government seeking withdrawal of the February 26 notification. The organisation maintained that the government order was a mockery of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which prohibits illegal capture or custody of wild animals, such as elephants.
News, views and interviews- Follow our election coverage.
Click TN Election Special
Click Kerala Election Special