Supreme Court asks for medical report of Kerala’s tallest captive elephant, pulls up State government

The Supreme Court on Friday (October 9, 2026) pulled up the Keralam government for its failure to inform the court of the measures taken to protect Uttoly Raman, the State’s tallest captive elephant, after the tusker’s custody was handed over to the government in June. The court directed the authorities to place the latest medical examination report of the elephant, which has been at the centre of a long-running ownership dispute, before it on October 12.

A Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu asked why these details had not been disclosed in the State’s affidavit and why the court had been kept in the dark about the steps taken to ensure the animal’s welfare.

The State’s counsel informed the Bench that there had been a delay in taking custody of the elephant from its caretaker, Krishnankutty, due to the Assembly elections in Kerala.

Expressing serious reservations over the submission, Justice Datta remarked, “It is a wonderful argument to make. So, the Supreme Court order is not to be complied with all these months because there were elections?”

The Bench also sought to know when the transfer of custody had eventually taken place and why the fact had not been mentioned in the State’s affidavit. The court further directed the State to ensure that the former caretaker, who has been accused of “commercially exploiting” the elephant, is not allowed to touch the animal.

‘Commercially exploited’

The court had earlier pulled up the caretaker over his treatment of the elephant. “The only love and affection you have for the elephant is for the love of money. You have commercially exploited the elephant,” the Bench had told Mr. Krishnankutty, who was found guilty of contempt in June for violating an undertaking that the animal would not be used for commercial or temple activities.

The Bench then turned to the elephant’s present condition, seeking details of the medical care provided to it since the June order. When the State referred to a medical report prepared in June, the court questioned whether the elephant had been examined at any point thereafter and sought its most recent medical assessment.

Directing authorities to place the latest report on record by October 12, the court said, “The State shall duly comply with the court’s June 9 order in letter and spirit and will take proper care of the elephant.”

Ownership dispute

The proceedings arise from a long-running dispute over who owns the elephant. The Mata Amritanandamayi Mutt maintains that Mr. Krishnankutty was given the elephant solely for its care and upkeep, while the caretaker asserts ownership on the strength of two gift deeds executed in February 2017.

On June 9, the Supreme Court directed the Kerala government to assume custody of the animal and take responsibility for its welfare. The order followed the court’s finding that Mr. Krishnankutty had breached an undertaking given on August 6, 2025, that the elephant would not be deployed for religious or commercial purposes.

The violation surfaced after an inspection by State authorities revealed that the elephant had been taken to a temple festival near Chavakkad. Mr. Krishnankutty later tendered an apology, explaining that the elephant had been taken to the festival for religious reasons after another elephant slated to participate in the ceremony fell ill.

Rejecting the explanation, the Bench had observed that courts could not remain “mute spectators” when the welfare of voiceless animals was at stake. It found Mr. Krishnankutty guilty of contempt for breaching his undertaking and imposed a fine of ₹2,000 on him.

The Mutt has disputed the authenticity of the two gift deeds cited by Mr. Krishnankutty to assert ownership. It has also contended that any such change in ownership would have to satisfy the restrictions governing the possession and transfer of Asian elephants under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.