Mudarai: Madras HC issues notice to TN govt on a petitioner’s plea to protect elephants in captivity

Mudarai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 25 (ANI) : The Madras High Court’s Madurai bench gave notice to the Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday, regarding a public interest litigation seeking directions to safeguard captive elephants in temples and other locations across the state.

Hariharan from Madurai filed a petition regarding the death of Subbulakshmi, a 54-year-old captive elephant at Kunrakudi Shanmuganathar Malai Temple in Sivagangai district.

In his plea, Hariharan said that the elephant died due to a sudden fire in its shelter. He alleged that the temple authorities neglected guidelines for elephant care. In 1971, a devotee had donated Subbulakshmi to the temple.

“The elephants are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Authorities concerned have not taken serious efforts to protect captive elephants in temples and other places in the state. Subbulakshmi’s death was due to captivity and negligence and the total disregard for her basic welfare and safety was a crime. Had the authorities followed the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Captive Elephants (Management and Care) Rules, 2011, the death of the elephant could have been avoided” the plea stated.

The petitioner urged the court to direct authorities to protect captive elephants in temples and other locations across Tamil Nadu. The plea came up for hearing before a bench of Justices Subramanian and Sundar Mohan.

On September 13, Subbulakshmi, a 54-year-old elephant at the famous Sri Shanmuganathar Temple in the Sivaganga district, died after allegedly sustaining burns from a fire.

People flocked to the temple premises and paid tributes to the elephant after the news of the animal’s death. Reportedly, on the night of September 12, a fire broke out near the thatched roof of the structure where the animal was housed. Fire and rescue services personnel rushed to the spot and doused the flames, but the elephant sustained serious burns.