Pranav B Prem

The Kerala High Court has directed the Deputy Administrator (Livestock) of Guruvayoor Devaswom to submit an affidavit detailing the procedures followed for booking and transporting elephants from Punnathur Anakotta for temple festivals. This directive comes in light of the tragic incident on February 13, 2025, at the Manakkulangara Temple near Koyilandy in Kozhikode district, where three elderly persons lost their lives in a stampede caused by two elephants reacting violently to the bursting of firecrackers.

Incident and Court Observations

The Division Bench comprising Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S. took note of the incident involving two elephants, Gokul and Peethambaran, both owned by the Guruvayoor Devaswom. These elephants were transported from Punnathur Anakotta to Koyilandy for the temple festival. Observing that elephants are frequently taken to distant locations for temple events, the Court emphasized the need to ensure that they are adequately fed when removed from Punnathur Anakotta.

The Court stated: “Having considered the materials on record and also the submissions made at the Bar, we deem it appropriate to direct the additional 13th respondent Deputy Administrator (Livestock) to file a detailed affidavit explaining the procedures being followed in Guruvayur Devaswom for booking and transporting elephants from Punnathur Aanakkotta in connection with temple festivals in other temples, and also to ensure that the elephants are provided with the required quantity of feed, as per the statutory requirements, when they are outside Punnathur Aanakkotta.”

Lack of Records in Registers

During the proceedings, the Deputy Administrator (Livestock) of Guruvayoor Devaswom presented the feeding register, transportation register, and other statutory records concerning captive elephants. However, the Court found that there were no entries documenting the transportation of the elephants Gokul and Peethambaran to Koyilandy. The Court noted the significant distance of approximately 120 kilometers from Punnathur Anakotta to Koyilandy, with the lorries carrying the elephants traveling at a speed of 30-35 km/h.

Injuries to Elephant Gokul

A photograph of the injured elephant Gokul was presented before the Court. The Veterinary Surgeon of Guruvayoor Devaswom clarified that Gokul had sustained a stab wound from the tusk of the other elephant, Peethambaran, in addition to minor abrasions during the stampede at the temple festival. The Court directed the Veterinary Surgeon to file a detailed report regarding the injuries sustained by Gokul in the incident.

Ensuring Proper Management of Elephants

The Court further noted that the transportation register revealed that elephants from Punnathur Anakotta were frequently sent to distant locations for temple festivals. The learned Standing Counsel for the Guruvayoor Devaswom Managing Committee submitted that elephants would not be taken out for temple festivals unless a proper recommendation was made by an expert committee.

Future Considerations

To ensure compliance with statutory norms, the Court instructed that:

• The Guruvayoor Devaswom must file a detailed affidavit explaining the booking and transport procedures for elephants.

• Proper feeding arrangements for the elephants must be ensured while they are outside Punnathur Anakotta.

• The Veterinary Surgeon must submit a report on Gokul’s injuries sustained in the incident.

• The transportation registers for the elephants Gokul and Peethambaran are to be retained for further examination.

The matter has been scheduled for further consideration on February 27, 2025.

Cause Title: Sangita Iyer v Guruvayoor Devaswom Rep. by its Secretary

Case No: WP(C) NO. 16514 OF 2023

Bench: Justice Anil K. Narendran, Justice Muralee Krishna S. 

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