Kerala High Court slams Devaswom officer for violation of elephant parade norms at Poornathrayeesa temple

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday ordered an official of the Cochin Devaswom Board to explain why the court mandated norms for parading elephants were violated during the recent Poornathrayeesa temple festival at Thripunithura [In Re Captive Elephants v Union of India & ors]..Based on the report filed by the Ernakulam District Collector NSK Umesh and the Chairman of the Ernakulam District Monitoring Committee, Devaswom officer named Raghu Raman was identified as responsible for the lapse. A Bench of Justices AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Gopinath P proceeded to direct the Devaswom officer to file an affidavit by December 9, explaining why he failed to comply with the Court’s directives. The Bench warned that an unsatisfactory response could lead to action for contempt of Court."We deem it appropriate to direct the Raghu Raman, the Devaswom officer of the Thripunithura Sri Poornathrayeesa Temple, to file an affidavit before this Court giving his explanation, for the lapses stated to have been occasioned on his part and showing cause as to why further action should not be initiated against him under the provisions of the Contempt of Court Act and Rules. The affidavit of the Devaswom officer shall be filed before the Court on or before Monday," the Court ordered..The Bench also urged the District Collector to ensure that the Cochin Devaswom Board complies with the Court's guidelines in future, adding that errant officials could even be removed if they continue to disregard Court directives."We seem to have a Devaswom officer who refuses to comply with the guidelines. Please make sure that the guidelines are followed. If he (the Devaswom officer) doesn’t follow, you can proceed with action. This (elephant parade norms) is only for the safety of the people thronging the temples and not to hurt anyone’s ego. You can remove that officer if required" the Court said..The Court further asked the Ernakulam District Collector to file a report next Wednesday (December 11), detailing violations, if any, of the Court’s directions and steps taken to ensure compliance with the elephant welfare guidelines..The Bench was hearing matters related to the welfare of captive elephants, in which it had earlier issued various guidelines including those to protect elephants paraded at events like temple festivals from over-exploitation.During today's hearing of the matter, the Bench took critical note that on the fourth day (December 2) of the ongoing Vrischikolsavam festival at the Poornathrayeesa temple, elephants were paraded for the Thriketta Purapadu ritual without adhering to a three-meter minimum distance set by the Court.The State's forest Department had also filed a case against the temple for flouting the elephant parade rules set by the Court. Notably, the Court had earlier dismissed a petition seeking relaxation of the guideline to maintain the three-meter distance for elephants used for this festival..The matter will be heard next on December 11. In the meantime, the Court asked the State and the amicus curiae to suggest mechanisms to ensure full compliance with the Court's guidelines for elephant welfare. The Court suggested that in future, before elephant parades are allowed, an applications seeking permission should confirm that the pachyderms have been properly, fed, well-rested and transported according to the prescribed rules..Additional Advocate General Ashok M Cheriyan appeared for the State, while advocate KP Sudheer represented the Cochin Devaswom Board. The Court also heard submissions from the Amicus Curiae TC Suresh Menon..[Read Live Coverage]