New Delhi, Oct 26: The Delhi High Court has ordered a stay on the transfer of Ranjita, a 40-year-old elephant from Jorhat, Assam, to Sainik Farms in South Delhi. The court raised concerns about the absence of clarity on the purpose and need for relocating the elephant. A bench led by Chief Justice Manmohan noted that since the transfer hadn’t yet begun, Ranjita should remain in her current location.
This order was issued following a writ petition by the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO), challenging provisions under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 that allow captive elephants to be moved for “religious or other purposes.” The FIAPO argued against moving Ranjita to an urban environment, criticizing the proposed Delhi facility as unsuitable for a living being, describing it as “more like a warehouse where a person would keep a car.”
The High Court has scheduled further hearings for November 28 and has directed the Chief Wildlife Warden of Delhi to inspect the designated facility in Sainik Farms to assess its adequacy for housing an elephant. (PTI)
