3.There shall be a direction to the Forest Department not to engage any NGOs in treating the elephants in their custody. 4.Call on 31.07.2026. [N.S.K., J.] [D.B.C., J.] 10.07.2026

by Sekar Reporter · July 18, 2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 10.07.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE N. SATHISH KUMAR
AND
THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE D. BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY
W. P.No. 28611 of 2022and
W.M.P.No.13132 of 2024
S.Muralidharan
Vs
1.Principal Chief Conservator of Forests
and Chief Wildlife Warden, Department of Forests,
Government of Tamil Nadu,
No.1 Jeenis Road, Panagal Building, … Petitioner
Saidapet, Chennai- 600 0015 and another
W.M.P.No.13132 of 2024 …. Respondents
S.Muralidharan
Vs
1.Principal Chief Conservator of Forests
and Chief Wildlife Warden, Department of Forests,
Government of Tamil Nadu,
No.1 Jeenis Road, Panagal Building, … Petitioner
Saidapet, chennai- 600 0015 and 3 others …. Respondents
W.P.No. 28611 of 2022 :
For Petitioner : Mr.S.Muralidharan (Party-in-Person)
For Respondent(s): Mr.P.V.Balasubramaniam, Additional Advocate General, assisted by Mr.K.Surendar,
Government Pleader and
Mr.G.Abraham Prabhu, Government Counsel for R1
Mr.V.Chandrasekaran,
Senior Panel Counsel for R2
Amici Curiae
1. Mr.C.Mohan, Advocate
2. Mr.T.Mohan, Senior Advocate
3. Mr.M.Santhanaraman, Advocate
4. Mr.Rahul Balaji, Advocate
ORDER
Treatment of elephants by NGOs :
The party-in-person has brought to the notice of this Court that Wildlife SOS, an NGO, is carrying on activities in violation to the interest of the wildlife, especially elephants under the custody of the Forest Department. He has filed an additional affidavit in W.M.P.No.13132 of 2026 in this regard.
2.Mr.P.V.Balasubramaniam, learned Additional Advocate General, assisted by
Mr.G.Abraham Prabhu, Government Counsel, takes notice of the same.
3.There shall be a direction to the Forest Department not to engage any NGOs in treating the elephants in their custody.
4.Call on 31.07.2026.
[N.S.K., J.] [D.B.C., J.] 10.07.2026
mkn
To
1.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests
and Chief Wildlife Warden, Department of Forests,
Government of Tamil Nadu,
No.1, Jeenis Road, Panagal Building, Saidapet, Chennai – 600 015.
2.Project Elephant Division,
Scientist-D, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Indira Paryavaran Bhavan, Jorbagh Road, New Delhi – 110 003.
3.The Registrar,
Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), Madhavaram Milk Colony, Chennai – 600 051.
4.The Director,
Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services,
Government of Tamil Nadu,
Integrated Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department Campus, Nandanam, Chennai – 600 035.
N. SATHISH KUMAR, J.
AND D. BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.
mkn
W.P.No. 28611 of 2022
10.07.2026