The Supreme Court today asked the Centre to file within three weeks its reply on whether people and institutions can keep elephants. It also issued notice to Centre and Kerala on ownership certificates given to elephant owners.
The bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Shiva Kirti Singh were hearing an application seeking protection of elephants that are being kept by resorts in Goa.
The petitioner(Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre and others) had submitted a report by the Animal Welfare Board of India(AWBI) in which it was mentioned that some resort owners were violating the Prevention of Cruelty To Animals Act. Meanwhile, the state of Goa said that they have inspected the resorts, and issued show cause notice to violators.
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The petitioner also urged the court take cognizance of three questions which include if any person can keep the elephant privately after the Act came into force. In case there is no prohibition in keeping it as pet, what are the rules and regulations that should be followed, and which government body will oversee that rules and regulations are followed.
In another application, the petitioner sought direction on banning people in Kerala from keeping elephants privately.
The matter has been adjourned for four weeks.