The Supreme Court on Tuesday (August 18, 2026) said elephants serving in temples must be respected and treated as manifestations of divinity while issuing a series of directions concerning the upkeep, health, well-being of captive elephants across the country.
A Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana clarified that the Court was not delving into religious rights or the faith behind the use of captive elephants in temples, but was only concerned with the employment of best practices in management of captive elephants by private individuals, circuses, temples, Forest Departments, zoos and rehabilitation centres. The Court directed the CEHWC to file a comprehensive action report, finalise the pending issues and take necessary action for implementation of the decisions already taken by it at the earliest. The Court separately directed the Ministry to submit a status report on the current status of the DNA profiling of all captive elephants, from those maintained by private individuals to the animals in rehabilitation centres. “Our present concern is not with respect to the ownership of captive elephants. Rather, we lay emphasis on the upkeep, well-being and healthcare of these elephants. The CEHWC should also lay down minimum standards for housing and upkeep of elephants in captivity. Owners should ensure proper transfer of captive elephants, the Court ordered.
We therefore direct the Union of India to issue mandatory guidelines, as required, and take up the matter with the States concerned to introduce an effective and transparent mechanism regarding the establishment of elephant clinics with specialised facilities, where it shall be compulsorily prescribed for all owners of captive elephants to take the elephants for periodic check-ups,” the Court ordered.
“Transportation of captive elephants shall not be permitted unless it is duly documented in accordance with the applicable rules, containing complete particulars of the transfer and the purpose of such transfer,” the Supreme Court directed.
