The Supreme Court has directed the Kerala government to take custody of ‘Raman’, considered the tallest elephant in the state, and maintain it at the government’s own expense in a rehabilitation camp.
Raman, said to be 10.53 feet tall, has been under the care of a man named Krishnankutty. The court noted allegations that the elephant was taken to weddings and religious functions in processions for earnings, despite earlier Supreme Court directions against using elephants for commercial gain.
A bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma said it could not ignore injustice to voiceless animals and that the court would not remain a silent spectator on animal welfare. Holding that its earlier directions were violated, the bench imposed a fine of Rs 2,000 on Krishnankutty for contempt of court.
The judges ordered that the elephant be seized from Krishnankutty and cared for by the Kerala government in a rehabilitation facility. The court clarified that the direction is temporary.
The contempt petition was filed by Jayakrishna Menon, who claimed Raman belongs to the Mata Amritanandamayi Math and was only temporarily entrusted to Krishnankutty for upkeep. Krishnankutty, however, asserted that the elephant was legally handed over to him through a will and gift deeds, and that he has been maintaining it for the past 10–12 years.
