Gauhati HC Directs Panel to Consider Rehabilitation of Joymala, Eight Other Assamese Elephants
Arun Prasanna, founder of PFCI, said the court's direction offered renewed hope for Joymala.
Chennai:In a new development in the long-running legal battle over captive elephant Joymala, also known as Jeymalyatha, the Gauhati high court has directed the Supreme Court-appointed high-powered committee to consider her rehabilitation along with that of eight other Assamese elephants currently kept in Tamil Nadu.
The court has also directed the Tamil Nadu government to conduct monthly inspections of the facilities housing the nine elephants. Authorities have been asked to take appropriate action, including seizure and rehabilitation where necessary, if the elephants are found to be lacking adequate nutrition, medical care or other essential welfare facilities.
People For Cattle in India (PFCI), one of the petitioners in the case, described the order as an important development in its campaign seeking Joymala's rescue and rehabilitation.
PFCI had approached the Gauhati high court in February 2025, raising concerns over Joymala's prolonged captivity, welfare and alleged history of cruelty.
However, the court has not directly ordered Joymala's rehabilitation. The question has instead been referred to the Supreme Court-appointed High-Powered Committee, which will consider issues relating to the ownership, transfer and rehabilitation of the elephants.
Arun Prasanna, founder of PFCI, said the court's direction offered renewed hope for Joymala.
“This is an important moment in our long fight for Joymala. The court's latest direction gives us renewed hope that the question of her future will finally be examined from the perspective of her welfare and dignity,” he said.
Prasanna said PFCI hoped the high-powered committee would take a compassionate, scientific and welfare-centric approach and recommend rehabilitation in a suitable elephant sanctuary.
According to PFCI, the Gauhati high court also observed that the temple's position, despite describing Joymala as revered and worshipped, appeared to treat her as a “movable object” rather than placing her welfare at the centre of the matter.
The latest order brings the future of Joymala and the eight other elephants before the expert committee operating under the Supreme Court's framework.
