"We are tired of PILs on Arikomban": Supreme Court on PIL to know rogue elephant's whereabouts
The Supreme Court Thursday took strong exception to multiple public interest litigation (PIL) petitions filed with regard to the rogue elephant Arikomban which has been threatening human settlements in Kerala.
A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Misra refused to entertain a plea filed by an organisation named Walking Eye Foundation which moved the Court seeking details about the whereabouts and the present location and condition of the elephant.
"We are tired of this Arikomban. Every two weeks there is a PIL. Yesterday also we dismissed one. Sorry. You can approach Kerala High Court," the bench initially said.
The Court initially dictated an order imposing costs of ₹25,000 on the petitioner-organisation.
"This plea is a misuse of the process of the court. We dismiss it with a cost of ₹25,000 to the Supreme Court Bar Association," the order dictated in open court said.
However, as per the order uploaded on the website of the apex court, the petitioner was allowed to withdraw the plea and approach the competent authority or the jurisdictional High Court.
"The counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner seeks the permission of the Court to withdraw the petition so as to take appropriate steps by moving either the competent authority or, as the case may be, the jurisdictional High Court. The petition is dismissed as withdrawn," the order said.
During the hearing of the case today, the lawyer for the petitioner persisted with the case and insisted that the matter be heard.
"At least let us know whether it is alive or dead..or where it is," the lawyer said.
"Why should you know where the elephant is? Why should you know where wildlife is," the bench asked.
"Lakhs are waiting for a word on this case. People are watching this court, how Article 32 is being dealt with," the lawyer submitted.
The bench took exception to the lawyer's submissions.
"Please do not misunderstand the gentlemanly demeanour. There may be a tough inside to it. you or no one can take this court for a ride ever, at least not this court. Now you have to pay costs," the CJI remarked.
The pachyderm named after his penchant for raiding shops and houses for rice, had been foraging into the Chinnakanal area in Kerala's Idukki district causing damage to the property in the human settlement areas. On April 29, Arikomban was translocated to Periyar Tiger Reserve after a radio collar was fixed on him.
Later, reports emerged that the elephant came close to human settlements in Tamil Nadu leading the Tamil Nadu Forest Department to issue an order to tranquilize, capture and translocate the elephant to the deep forest area of Villaimalai.
There have been numerous petitions before Kerala High Court and the Supreme Court concerning the elephant's relocation and welfare.
On May 31, the Kerala High Court had dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking relocation of Arikomban back to Kerala.
Prior to that, the High Court had ordered relocation of the elephant from Idukki to Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary.
The Supreme Court had dismissed the State's appeal against the same on April 17.
Note: This story has been updated to reflect the order uploaded on the website of the Supreme Court.