The Gauhati High Court has refused to stop the transport of five captive elephants from Assam to temples in Tamil Nadu. The court stated that there is no valid reason to stop the transfer unless it is proven that mandatory permits are missing.
A bench led by Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury heard the case on September 19. The court noted that laws do not prevent the transfer of elephants if proper statutory clearances are taken from the authorities.
Additional Advocate General P N Goswami confirmed that all necessary clearances for moving the five elephants have been given. The state assured the court that full care will be taken for the safe transport of the animals.
The court has kept the application pending and asked the Assam government to file a response. The main writ petition and the application will now be heard together on October 15.
