Bombay High Court orders transfer of elephant Mahadevi from Kolhapur temple to rehab center, Gujarat

“The court noted that the right of an elephant to a quality life is over and above the rights of men to use the animal for religious rites”

Kolhapur: In a landmark ruling prioritizing animal welfare over religious and commercial use, the Bombay High Court has ordered the transfer of a female elephant, Mahadevi alias Madhuri, from a Kolhapur-based Jain trust to a specialized rehabilitation center in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

The 40-year-old elephant has spent over three decades at the Swasthishri Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswami Sanstha. Her relocation comes after sustained complaints and investigations prompted by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, which raised serious concerns about her treatment and living conditions.

The court emphasized that “the right of an elephant to a quality life is over and above the rights of men to use the animal for religious rites,” setting a powerful precedent in favor of ethical treatment of animals.

Mahadevi will now be relocated to the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust (RKTEWT) in Jamnagar, Gujarat — a facility that currently cares for 238 rescued elephants. The sanctuary is known for providing specialized medical care and a naturalistic environment for aging and ailing elephants.

PETA alleged that the elephant was being commercially exploited under the pretense of religious tradition. In one instance, she was reportedly rented out for a Muharram procession by the Telangana State Waqf Board for Rs 4 lakh, without necessary approvals from forest authorities.

Submitted photographs showed Mahadevi forced into noisy, crowded processions, tied with ropes, and controlled using ankush (a hooked tool), despite suffering from painful conditions such as foot rot and arthritis.

The court’s directive has been welcomed by animal rights activists and conservationists as a crucial step toward protecting captive elephants from neglect and exploitation. The transfer to RKTEWT is expected to take place under strict veterinary supervision in the coming weeks.