What did the Kerala High Court decide in the Mohanlal ivory case?

The Kerala High Court ruled that the ownership certificate issued to actor Mohanlal for elephant tusks is not legally valid, as the Forest Department's procedures in granting the certificate violated norms.

How long has the Mohanlal ivory case been ongoing?

The case dates back to December 2011, when Income Tax officials discovered elephant tusks at Mohanlal's residence. The government allowed Mohanlal to declare the tusks in 2015, and the ownership certificate was issued in 2016, but this has now been declared null and void by the High Court.

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Kerala Court Declares Mohanlal's Elephant Tusk Ownership Certificate Null and Void

Q: What is the next step in the Mohanlal ivory case?

The Kerala High Court has directed the State government to issue a new notification to ensure proper compliance with the Wildlife Protection Act, effectively putting an end to the long-running case involving the renowned actor.

24 Oct

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Summary

Kerala High Court rules Mohanlal's elephant tusk ownership certificate invalid
Forest Department's procedures in granting the certificate violated norms
Court directs state to issue new notification to comply with Wildlife Protection Act

Kerala Court Declares Mohanlal's Elephant Tusk Ownership Certificate Null and Void

On October 24, 2025, the Kerala High Court delivered a significant verdict in the long-running ivory case involving renowned actor Mohanlal. The court has ruled that the ownership certificate issued to Mohanlal for elephant tusks in 2016 is not legally valid.

The court observed that the Forest Department's action of granting such a certificate violated procedural norms, effectively quashing the certificate. The bench also directed the State government to issue a new notification to ensure proper compliance with the Wildlife Protection Act.

The case dates back to December 2011, when Income Tax officials discovered two pairs of elephant tusks during a search at Mohanlal's residence in Ernakulam. The government subsequently allowed Mohanlal to declare the tusks in 2015, and the Chief Wildlife Warden issued the ownership certificate in January 2016. However, this administrative move has now been deemed invalid by the High Court's latest verdict.