Setback for Mohanlal and forest department in ivory case, action will not be legally valid, says HC

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has taken a decisive step in the ivory case against actor Mohanlal. The high court has quashed the forest department's action of issuing an ownership certificate for the elephant tusks to the actor, stating that it will not be legally valid. The high court has also directed the state government that the forest department should issue a new notification.

Two pairs of elephant tusks were found in a search conducted by income tax officials at Mohanlal's residence at Thevara in Ernakulam on December 21, 2011. The government then gave him an opportunity to declare the tusks in 2015. On January 16, 2016, the chief wildlife warden issued an ownership certificate for the tusks to the actor.

The government had withdrawn the case against Mohanlal in the ivory case. In 2011, the Perumbavoor court quashed this action and ordered Mohanlal to appear in person in the case. Mohanlal filed a plea in the high court against this. The court then granted a stay. The final verdict in the case was delivered today.