The Gauhati High Court’s refusal to stay the transportation of five captive elephants to Tamil Nadu
By Dalim Phukan
Guwahati/ Assam, Sep 18 : Gauhati High Court Rejects Plea Against Elephant Transport to Tamil Nadu Temples, Reaffirms State’s Legal Stand and Conservation Measures
GUWAHATI — The Gauhati High Court has refused to issue a restraint order against the planned transportation of five captive elephants from Assam to temples in Tamil Nadu, following a decisive legal defense presented by Additional Advocate General and Senior Advocate Parangam Narayan (P. N.) Goswami. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury dismissed the petitioner’s apprehensions regarding potential ill-treatment or overstay, ruling that the claims lacked genuine merit.
Appearing for the State of Assam, Additional Advocate General P. N. Goswami made a forceful submission before the bench, providing official verification that all statutory clearances for the transfer of the five privately owned elephants had been fully and lawfully secured. Goswami assured the court that comprehensive state protocols and health safeguards remain firmly in place to ensure the safe, secure, and respectful transportation of the animals for religious purposes.
The ruling delivers a firm setback to petitioner Rohit Choudhury, whose claims legal observers view as an attempt to leverage sensitive public sentiment against government machinery for personal visibility. Rejecting the petitioner’s speculative arguments, the court noted that the state government has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to animal welfare, highlighting ongoing legal actions initiated by Assam to ensure the safe return of the elephant “Joymala”.
By accepting the submissions of the Additional Advocate General and refusing interim relief to the petitioner, the High Court’s order strongly validates the state’s regulatory oversight and legal standing against media-driven public petitions.
