Home / Crime and Justice / Kerala Court Declares Mohanlal's Elephant Tusk Ownership Certificate Null and Void
Kerala Court Declares Mohanlal's Elephant Tusk Ownership Certificate Null and Void
24 Oct
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
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.
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The High Court's decision represents a setback for both Mohanlal and the Forest Department. Mohanlal had maintained that the ivory was acquired lawfully and had requested the government to withdraw the case, which was initially granted but later dismissed by a Judicial Magistrate in 2023.
