Supreme Court raps Kerala over Raman elephant custody, seeks medical report

The Supreme Court questioned Kerala's failure to take custody of Raman and sought his latest medical report. The hearing sharpened concerns over compliance, welfare monitoring and alleged commercial exploitation.Stock photo used for illustrationNewdelhi,Oct 9, 2026 19:00 ISTThe Supreme Court on Friday pulled up the Kerala government for not complying with its order to take over the custody of Raman, described as the tallest elephant in the state, and asked for the animal's latest medical report. The court was told that Raman remained with his caretaker because he was in musth, a condition unique to elephants in which testosterone levels rise sharply, and could not be shifted.A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu said the state had not acted in line with its earlier directions on the elephant's upkeep. It also questioned whether the authorities were monitoring Raman's health and directed the Kerala government to place a recent medical report on record.During the hearing, the caretaker's side told the court that Raman had been treated with love and care. Justice Datta responded sharply, saying, "Love, care and for the purpose of earning money by defying the Supreme Court's restraint orders. We quite understand what love and affection are. We are not going to hear you." The bench also asked the state's counsel, "Are you monitoring the condition of the elephant or not? The last medical report means you have not checked him after 24th June?"The court then directed the state government to submit Raman's latest medical report. "In the next date of hearing, the state shall faithfully and honestly comply with the court's order dated June 9, 2026, in so far as the upkeep of the elephant is concerned," the bench said. On June 9, the top court had ordered the Kerala government to take over Raman's custody and house him in a suitable rehabilitation centre, saying the well-being of voiceless animals was of paramount importance. It had noted that Raman had been subjected to commercial exploitation and used in ceremonial processions and rituals. The order came on a contempt petition filed by Jayakrishna Menon, who said the elephant belonged to the Mata Amritanandamayi Mutt and had only been temporarily handed over to Krishnankutty for upkeep and care.In that order, the bench had said, "It is truly unfortunate that the elephant in question, i.e., Raman, who also happens to be the tallest elephant in the state of Kerala, has been subjected to commercial exploitation despite an order restraining such exploitation, that too on the strength of an undertaking made before this court." It had added, "We would be failing in our duty towards the voiceless, if we turn a blind eye towards such defiance. We cannot be a mute spectator, more so in matters pertaining to voiceless animals, whose well-being is also of paramount importance." The Supreme Court had found Krishnankutty, who retained custody of Raman on the basis of a contested will, guilty of contempt for wilfully violating an undertaking given to the court and fined him Rs 2,000. It had clarified that the custody order was only temporary and subject to its final decision. The court had also said the Kerala government could temporarily care for the elephant at its own expense by passing appropriate administrative orders under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and had discharged state authorities from contempt after noting that they had tried to conduct a medical inspection. Krishnankutty, however, had maintained that Raman was lawfully transferred to him through gift deeds and that he had been caring for the elephant for the last 10 to 12 years. Friday's hearing centred on whether the state had complied with the court's directions and on Raman's current condition.- Ends