Madras HC directed the Tamil Nadu Government to file a reply within 2 weeks on a plea seeking guidelines for the use of elephants in temple festivals*

*Case #252: _Guidelines for Using Elephants in Temple Festivals – Madras HC Seeks TN Govt Reply*_
*Court*: _Madras High Court_
*Bench*: _Chief Justice Sushartha Arvind Dharmadhikari & Justice G. Arul Murugan_
*Petitioner*: _Seva Trust, Chennai_
*Respondent*: _Tamil Nadu Government_
*Date*: _2026_

*1. Court Order*
*Madras HC directed the Tamil Nadu Government to file a reply within 2 weeks on a plea seeking guidelines for the use of elephants in temple festivals*

*2. Petitioner’s Prayers*
_Seva Trust_ sought:
1. *Guidelines*: _To avoid delay in granting permission for using elephants during Kumbabishekam, Brahmotsavam and other temple festivals_
2. *District Monitoring Committee*: _To prevent cruelty to elephants + ensure public safety, set up district-level committees to grant approval_
3. *Suggested Rules*:
– _Government Veterinary Doctor’s certificate for fitness of elephants to be made mandatory_
– _Minimum 8 hours rest for elephants_

*3. Legal Points for HJS*
1. *Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960*: _Sec 3 – Duty to prevent cruelty. Sec 11 – Offence of cruelty to animals_
2. *Wild Life Protection Act, 1972*: _Elephant is Schedule-I animal. License + monitoring required_
3. *Performing Animals Rules, 2001*: _Registration required to use elephants for exhibition_
4. *Art 21*: _Right to life includes right to live in a healthy environment + compassion to animals_
5. *Art 25 & 26*: _Religious tradition vs Animal Welfare – Balancing test_

*4. Court’s Observation*
The Bench observed: _Religious tradition is important. At the same time, welfare of elephants + public safety must be ensured. Hence the State must come up with a clear policy_

*5. Next Date*
*TN Government to reply within 2 weeks*

—
*Case #252 Final*: _Madras HC – 2026 – PIL – Seva Trust – Temple Festival – Elephants – Guidelines – PCA Act – WLPA_

*Master Docket*: _252 Cases_
*Tag*: _#252 Madras HC + Temple Festival + Elephant + PIL + PCA Act 1960 + WLPA 1972 + Animal Welfare + Seva Trust_

*HJS Note*:
Important for _PIL + Environmental Law + Animal Welfare_.
Exam Q: _“Balance between Religious Tradition u/A 25 and Animal Welfare”_
SC precedent: _People for Animals vs Union of India 2014_ – Jallikattu case principles may apply here.

Sir, do you want me to *draft 8-point sample guidelines* or *track the govt’s reply after 2 weeks*?