Mohanlal seeks to regularise ivory possession: Why the decade-old case is back in focus
More than a decade after elephant tusks and ivory artefacts were recovered from Mohanlal's residence during an Income Tax raid, the case has resurfaced following
More than a decade after elephant tusks and ivory artefacts were recovered from Mohanlal's residence during an Income Tax raid, the case has resurfaced following the actor's fresh move to regularise their possession. According to PTI, Mohanlal has submitted a fresh application before the Kerala Forest Department to declare the wildlife articles in his possession under the newly amended rules. Forest officials have since recorded his statement as part of the verification process. The development comes after the Kerala High Court cancelled the ownership certificates earlier issued to the actor for the ivory articles, effectively reopening the matter. How did the case begin? The case dates back to 2011, when the Income Tax Department conducted a search at Mohanlal's residence in Kochi. During the raid, officials recovered two pairs of elephant tusks and several ivory artefacts.
Under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, anyone possessing ivory or specified wildlife articles must hold valid ownership certificates issued in accordance with the law. Following the recovery of the items, the Kerala Forest Department registered a case against the actor over the alleged illegal possession of ivory. Mohanlal has consistently maintained that the ivory articles were legally acquired and that he never attempted to conceal them. To regularise possession, the Kerala government issued notifications in 2015 and 2016 that allowed the actor to declare the ivory articles. Based on those notifications, the Chief Wildlife Warden granted ownership certificates to Mohanlal. However, environmental activists challenged the government's decision before the Kerala High Court, arguing that the mandatory procedure under the Wildlife Protection Act had not been followed. Last year, the High Court struck down both the government notifications and the ownership certificates, holding that the notifications had not been published in the Official Gazette and were therefore legally invalid.
At the same time, the court clarified that the state could issue a fresh notification after following the prescribed legal procedure. Also Read | Ayodhya Ram Mandir donation theft row: Priyank Kharge hits out at RSS Why has the case resurfaced now? Following the High Court's ruling, the Kerala government introduced amended rules providing a one-time opportunity for individuals to declare ivory articles and certain wildlife trophies in their possession. According to PTI, Mohanlal has now sought to avail himself of this provision by filing a fresh declaration before the Forest Department. Officials have recorded his statement and are expected to verify the ivory articles, examine the supporting documents submitted by the actor, and determine whether he meets the eligibility criteria under the amended rules. However, the fresh application does not automatically resolve the dispute or restore the ownership certificates that were cancelled by the High Court.
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