Elephants in Kerala religious festivals: Supreme Court refuses urgent hearing of plea to lift stay
The Hindu
Supreme Court of India declines urgent hearing on Kerala High Court order to maintain elephant distance at festivals.
The Supreme Court of India on Thursday (January 23, 2025) did not heed an oral plea to urgently take up for hearing an application to lift its Order of December 19, 2024, staying a clutch of directions issued by the Kerala High Court, including that elephants must maintain a minimum distance of three metres from each other at religious festivals, parades and exhibitions.
SC asks Thrissur Pooram organisers to comply with Captive Elephants Rules, stays Kerala HC directions contrary to the law
The oral mentioning was made before a Bench headed by Justice B.V. Nagarathna by the counsel representing V.K. Venkitachalam, a petitioner in the case before the Kerala High Court.
Intervening immediately, advocate Abhilash M.R., representing Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu devaswoms, submitted Mr. Venkitachalam’s application and plea for urgent hearing was a ruse to disrupt the festival season ahead in Kerala.
Pooram lovers feel HC restrictions on parading elephants will cast shadow over festivities
The State High Court had passed a series of directions in November 2024 to regulate the use of elephants in festivities. Like three metres between two elephants, the High Court had specified a minimum distance of five metres between elephants and fire torches at festival grounds and eight metres between the animals and the public and percussion displays.
The two devaswoms had appealed the High Court directions in the Supreme Court saying they were impractical. Consequently, Justice Nagarathna’s Bench had ordered a stay on directions found “contrary” to the Captive Elephant (Management and Maintenance) Rules of 2012. The case is tentatively listed for February 4, 2025.
Experienced banker P. Suriaraj appointed as executive director of Dhanlaxmi Bank by RBI for three years.
MLA Ramesh Bandisidde Gowda plans for Maga Masa Hunnime programme at Sri Nimishamba Temple with safety measures.
Road-roller theft unravels inter-State TMT bars racket
Complete Lendi project by end of 2025-26: Uttam to engineers
Central teams inspect paddy procurement sites in Mayiladuthurai and Nagapattinam districts, assessing moisture levels post-rain damage.
Abhilash Shetty, a rising fast-bowler from Karnataka, impresses with 17 wickets in Vijay Hazare Trophy and First Class debut.
Officials appreciate helmet-wearing motorists during Road Safety Month with roses, emphasizing importance of road safety practices.
Farmers from Udangudi staged a walkout during the grievance redress meeting at the Collectorate on Thursday, opposing the acquisition of agricultural land for forming industrial and propellent park
Stalwarts of our MNCs recommending that employees work 70 to 90 hours at work every week ignore health implications of undertaking such long hours of work
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday announced that from the next financial year, a market system for organic products will be implemented in Karnataka’s Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMC). He was speaking at the inauguration of the International Trade Fair - Organics and Millets 2025.
Join VIT's webinar on 'How AI Is Reshaping the Future' with experts discussing AI trends and industry alignment.
Rama Sene activists attack salon in Mangaluru, arrested by police; condemned by ministers for moral policing.
Andhra Pradesh government is keen on developing Visakhapatnam as the best tourist destination, says APTDC Managing Director
Annual flower show at Raja Seat in Madikeri featuring unique floral creations, children's activities, and exhibition until January 27.
Former CBI Joint Director V.V. Lakshminarayana supports merging Vizag Steel with SAIL for revival, demands government intervention for projects.
Srisailam temple staff lead cleanliness drive in temple town as part of Swacch Srisailam initiative.
Annual Suttur Jathra Mahotsava from January 26-31 features religious, cultural events, mass marriage, academic programs, traditional sports, and more.
Temperature drops in Agency areas of Alluri Sitharama Raju district and outskirts of Visakhapatnam, reaching as low as 4.6°C.