The Kerala High Court issued notice on a PIL alleging mistreatment of captive elephants during Thrissur Pooram and other temple festivals, but declined interim directions after noting that a similar issue and related High Court directions are already under consideration before the Supreme Court.
The Kerala High Court on April 24, 2026 issued notice on a public interest litigation concerning the alleged mistreatment of captive elephants during Thrissur Pooram.
Thrissur Pooram is scheduled for April 26, 2026. The PIL also raises concerns about the use of captive elephants in other temple festivals in Kerala.
A vacation Bench of Justice A.A. Ziyad Rahman and Justice K.V. Jayakumar admitted the PIL.
The Government Pleader accepted notice for the State of Kerala.
Notice was also accepted for the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, the Assistant Conservator of Forests, the District Collectors of Thrissur and Palakkad, and the Thrissur District Police Chief.
The Court also issued urgent notice to the Secretaries of Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu Devaswoms.
The case is V.K. Venkitachalam v. State of Kerala and Ors., WP(PIL) 93/2026.
The PIL alleges recurring cruelty and statutory violations in the use of captive elephants during temple festivals.
It particularly refers to Thrissur Pooram.
According to the plea, organisers expose elephants to high-decibel fireworks at close range.
The petitioner also alleged that elephants stand amid dense crowds without prescribed safety distances.
The plea further said elephants face parades during restricted hours. It also alleged prolonged periods without adequate rest, food or water.
The petitioner alleged violations of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
The plea also relied on the Kerala Captive Elephants (Management and Maintenance) Rules, 2012.
It further referred to government circulars and orders governing the use of captive elephants in festivals.
The petitioner sought strict enforcement of the 2012 Rules.
The plea also sought enforcement of the Government Circular dated March 20, 2013 in relation to festivals, including Thrissur Pooram.
The petitioner sought a minimum safety distance between elephants and fireworks.
The plea also asked the authorities to prevent parading of elephants during peak heat hours.
Further, it sought permission only for elephants certified fit by veterinary authorities.
The petitioner also suggested the use of robotic elephants to carry the idol during fireworks.
He stated that he was ready to provide two robotic elephants for the Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu factions for this year’s Pooram.
The High Court did not pass any interim order.
The Bench noted that the Supreme Court is already hearing a challenge in a similar matter.
The proceedings record that the Bench considered Thiruvambady Devaswom & Anr. v. Union of India.
In that case, the Supreme Court had stayed the High Court’s earlier directions for effective implementation of the Kerala Captive Elephants (Management and Maintenance) Rules, 2012.
The Supreme Court record shows that, on December 19, 2024, it ordered that any High Court direction contrary to the 2012 Rules would remain stayed.
The High Court posted the matter for further consideration on May 25, 2026.
Advocates Sangeerthana M. and Adarsh Dharmajan moved the PIL.
