'Do Not Release Arikomban Into The Forest Today' Orders Madras High Court After PIL Filed By Kerala-Based Activist

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has ordered the Tamil Nadu forest department not to release the rogue elephant Arikomban in the forest today (5 June) after hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Kerala-based animal rights activist Rebeca Joseph.

Joseph contended that the elephant was ill and it was suffering from an injury to its trunk. She added that it should be brought back to Kerala and given treatment.

The Court has said that the next date of hearing will be tomorrow, i.e., 6 June.

Forest department officials are transporting Arikomban after tranquilising it today morning (5 June). Before the Court order, it was expected that it would be released deep into the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve which is located in the Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts of the state.

The decision to tranquilise it was taken after its entry into Cumbum town of Theni district late last month resulted in the death of a person and damage to multiple vehicles.