A conservationist from Assam has appealed to the Supreme Court-appointed High-Powered Committee (HPC) to immediately halt the ongoing transfer of four captive elephants from Assam to Tamil Nadu. The appeal also seeks a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding the transfer of five elephants from the state to Tamil Nadu.
Concerns Over Legality and Welfare
Rohit Choudhury, an eastern Assam-based conservationist, has raised serious questions regarding the legality, purpose, and potential welfare implications of moving elephants out of Assam. In a letter dated September 11, 2026, addressed to the chairperson of the HPC, Choudhury specifically highlighted the case of four elephants—Hiralal, Shiva, Rupsing, and Bijuli—currently in the process of being transferred. Additionally, one elephant, Durga, a five-year-old female, has already been moved to the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple in Tamil Nadu.
The four elephants being transferred are destined for various temples in Tamil Nadu. Hiralal and Shiva are being moved to the Arulmigu Arunachaleshwarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai. Rupsing, a 13-year-old male, is being transferred to the Sri Vaidyanatha Swamy Temple at Vaitheeswaran Koil in Nagapattinam. Bijuli, also a five-year-old female, is being transferred to Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Gajashala in Kanchipuram.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, Choudhury stated that he was unaware of the reasons behind these elephant transfers and questioned whether they were intended to be permanent or for a limited duration. He urged the HPC to intervene before the remaining four elephants are moved out of Assam and to assess whether these transfers are legally permissible and genuinely in the best interests of the animals.
Legal Precedents and Conservationist’s Arguments
Choudhury cited a Supreme Court order from May 12, 2023, in the case of Abir Phukan v Union of India. According to his letter, this order established that the HPC’s mandate included examining the “need to shift elephants,” the capacity of receiving facilities, and monitoring the health and transportation of the animals.
He further argued that if the current owners are unable to provide adequate care for the elephants, they should have the option to surrender them to the state government under Section 42A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Choudhury pointed out that Assam possesses rehabilitation facilities within its Forest Department where elephants could be housed. He requested the committee to assess the purpose of any such transfers, determine their legality, and scrutinise the conditions under which the elephants would be kept.
Broader Context of Elephant Transfers
This appeal comes in the context of ongoing concerns regarding the transfer of captive elephants from Assam to other states. Information available with The Chenab Times indicates that a significant number of captive elephants are privately owned in Assam, with some lacking formal ownership certificates or facing documentation issues. Choudhury alleged that such transfers often function as sales, expressing disappointment over the perceived lack of regulatory measures by the Assam government to control this trade.
The conservationist also drew attention to a recent directive from the Gauhati High Court. The High Court had asked the HPC to consider the rehabilitation of nine elephants from Assam allegedly kept illegally in Tamil Nadu. This case stemmed from a petition by the Assam government seeking the return of an elephant named Joymala, after videos emerged alleging cruelty towards her at a temple in Tamil Nadu. PETA India, also involved in the Joymala case, has urged the HPC to adjudicate on issues of ownership, transfer, and rehabilitation of captive elephants.
The Gauhati High Court has further directed the Tamil Nadu government to conduct monthly inspections at facilities housing these elephants and, pending the HPC’s final decision, to seize and rehabilitate elephants found lacking adequate care. The court has also given PETA India an opportunity to present its views to the committee, which is headed by retired Justice Deepak Verma.
The Supreme Court panel is expected to examine the ownership of the elephants, ascertain whether their destinations are legally acceptable, and verify if they were born in captivity or rescued from the wild. The committee will also investigate the circumstances of their birth in captivity and the status of their mothers. Choudhury’s plea underscores the need for greater transparency and adherence to welfare standards in the transfer of captive elephants.
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
The Chenab Times News Desk
