Kolhapur elephant row: Maharashtra authorities to file a evaluation petition in SC over animals switch to Vantara

After sturdy opposition from the general public over the switch of the Kolhapur elephant to Vantara, the Maharashtra authorities on Tuesday (August 5, 2025) determined to file a evaluation petition within the Supreme Court (SC) to convey again the elephant, Madhuri/Mahadevi, to Kolhapur’s Nandani village.

Following a high-level evaluation assembly, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis mentioned, “The State authorities will file a evaluation petition within the SC to convey her again from Vantara, an animal rescue centre run by Reliance Foundation in Jamnagar, Gujarat.”

“We will even request SC on this petition to nominate an impartial committee to analyze the difficulty,” he mentioned, including that the federal government would make efforts by all authorized means to convey her again.

The transfer comes after widespread protests throughout Kolhapur, Sangli district, the place villagers demonstrated towards Madhuri’s switch from the Swastishri Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswami Sansthan Mutt. The protests included a “boycott Jio and Reliance merchandise” signature marketing campaign, whereby over two lakh signatures opposing the switch have been despatched to President Draupadi Murmu, and a rally from Nadani to Kolhapur protecting round 40 km.

Mr. Fadnavis mentioned the federal government would type a staff, which included a veterinarian, to supply take care of Madhuri as soon as she was again and set up a rescue centre if wanted.

The protests started after villagers bid a farewell to Madhuri on July 30, following a Bombay High Court ruling, upheld by the Supreme Court, ordering rehabilitation of the “ailing” elephant at Vantara, primarily based on a petition by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

Former MP Raju Shetti alleged that PETA was “stealing” elephants, forcing folks to interrupt their cultural norms. “PETA has misled the federal government and the courtroom. We have a rehabilitation centre in Gadchiroli district, Karnataka, and Kerala. We will show their fraud within the coming days. However, until then we are going to take our ban Jio motion throughout the nation,” he added.

Meanwhile, Congress MLC Satej Patil mentioned, “We haven’t any different choice than submitting a petition in SC because the High Power Committee (HPC) took a call primarily based on the Forest Department report and SC permitted it. So, the federal government’s position is essential. We anticipate a constructive end result.”