Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court ruled that private elephant adoption for non-commercial purposes is not restricted.
M. S. Murali was challenging the adoption of four elephants from Karnataka by a temple in Jamnagar, Gujarat, in a public interest case before the court. The Radhe Krishna Temple Welfare Trust, which adopted these elephants, informed the court that it was formed for animal welfare.
According to the Trust, the elephants were treated properly and were only used for religious rituals on temple premises. The petition was dismissed by the HC, which stated that live elephants can be adopted for purposes other than commercial activities under Section 49 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
