Kolhapur, India: The Supreme Court of India on Monday ordered that disturbed elephant Mahadevi (also called Madhuri), who has been in the custody of Swastishri Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswami Sansthan Math (Karvir) at Nandani village, be rehabilitated to a sanctuary.
A Bench consisting of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan upheld an order of the Hon’ble Bombay High Court to provide relief to the 36-year old female elephant Mahadevi who tragically killed the chief priest of the Math in 2017 by repeatedly slamming him against the wall, and who has been kept alone and in chains at the temple since 1992.
On July 16, 2025, Mahadevi was ordered to be rehabilitated at the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust in Jamnagar by the Hon’ble Bombay High Court, following concerns raised by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India (PETA India) to the Maharashtra Forest Department and the Supreme Court appointed High-Powered Committee (HPC) on her deteriorated health and psychological suffering.
The order was passed in an appeal filed by the Jain Math opposing the High Court order and seeking to retain custody of the elephant, despite Mahadevi’s arthritis and other severe health problems from spending most of her life on concrete. The Court dismissed the Math’s plea in favour of the elephant’s welfare and directed authorities to ensure that the elephant is transported to the sanctuary in a manner that prioritizes her comfort.
Previously, in its order dated 16 July 2025, the Bombay High Court observed, “We have no doubt that the Petitioner-Math may have had no deliberate intent to cause injury to the elephant however, in the given circumstances of conflict between the rights of an elephant and the rights of Petitioner-Math to use the elephant in the discharge of its religious activities, priority must be given to the elephant’s welfare.”
“Elephants are intelligent, emotional beings who require a life without chains and an elephant family for their mental wellbeing,” says PETA India Director of Advocacy Projects Khushboo Gupta. “PETA India is grateful to the Supreme Court for recognising Mahadevi’s right to live the rest of her years free from pain, weapons, fear and isolation.”
Mahadevi has lived on the concrete floor of a shed at the Jain Bhattarak Math since she was just three years old. Independent veterinarians have documented the elephant’s deteriorated health condition, including painful foot rot, overgrown nails and arthritis. Recognizing the elephant’s psychological distress in these conditions, the Bhattarak Math initially intended to rehabilitate her. However, their position shifted, as they began to rent her out for Muharram and other events.
At Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust, Mahadevi will live free from chains and weapons, and in the company of other elephants. She will also receive specialised veterinary care by world-class veterinarians, including hydrotherapy, to address her arthritic condition.
PETA India and Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organizations (FIAPO) have each offered a mechanical elephant to the Jain Math, for use in the temple rituals and encourage all temples to choose humane mechanical elphants in place of living elephants for animal welfare and human wellbeing.
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