Elephant procession: High Court criticizes lawyers for concealing facts regarding stampede risks in SC

KOCHI: The High Court has said that lawyers are playing a double game in the High Court and the Supreme Court on petitions regarding elephant procession. Even those on the government side are trying to get a favorable order from the Supreme Court by hiding the facts, a special bench comprising Justices A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and P. Gopinath criticized.

The remarks come in the context of the Supreme Court staying the interim orders issued by the High Court to strictly implement the native elephant management rules.

It is doubtful whether the full extent of the accidents caused by elephant stampedes in Kerala have been brought to the attention of the Supreme Court. It also does not seem that the Supreme Court has been informed that the interim instructions given by it are still being followed by the High Court.

Lawyers can use tactics to get a favorable order, but they should not cross the limit. There have even been arguments questioning the honesty of the High Court judges. Not all judges may survive this pressure. However, we will move forward regardless. The special bench also clarified that if there are any shortcomings, the lawyers can raise them directly. The petitions will be considered again on Monday.

Ananthapadmanabhan's ban lifted

Amicus curiae report was submitted based on a medical certificate stating that the elephant Cherpulassery Ananthapadmanabhan, who was kept away from the procession following the High Court's ban, has recovered his health. Subsequently, the stay on the procession was lifted. P. Rajendra Prasad, who was in possession of the elephant, approached the court. According to the documents, the government informed that V. Shaji is the owner of the elephant. Subsequently, it was ordered to release the elephant to Shaji.