SC panel asked to consider rehabilitation of nine Assam elephants held in Tamil Nadu
The Gauhati High Court has directed a Supreme Court-appointed committee to oversee the rehabilitation of nine elephants from Assam currently held in Tamil Nadu. The case originated from allegations of abuse against an elephant named Joymala.
Why it matters
Addresses critical animal welfare concerns and legal disputes regarding the custody and treatment of captive wildlife.
The Gauhati High Court has asked a Supreme Court-appointed High-Powered Committee (HPC) to consider the rehabilitation of nine elephants from Assam allegedly kept illegally in Tamil Nadu.
The High Court has also directed the Tamil Nadu government to conduct monthly inspections at the facilities where the nine elephants are kept and, pending the HPC’s final adjudication, seize and rehabilitate the elephants lacking nutrition and other requirements.
The August 18 order of Justice Devashis Baruah, released on Monday (August 31, 2026), was based on the Assam government’s September 2022 petition, which sought the release of an elephant named Joymala, also known as Jeymalyatha, after videos of her being beaten went viral.
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