Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Gauhati High Court Seeks Review of Elephant Rehabilitation
Joymala is an elephant also known as Jeymalyatha.
She and eight other elephants from Assam are being kept in Tamil Nadu.
A court has asked an expert committee to consider whether they should be rehabilitated.
The court did not order Joymala’s immediate release or rehabilitation.
Tamil Nadu officials must inspect the elephants’ facilities every month.
They must check whether the elephants receive enough food, medical care and other necessary support.
If their care is inadequate, authorities may seize and rehabilitate them.
An animal welfare group says the decision gives new hope for Joymala’s future.
The Gauhati High Court directed a Supreme Court-appointed committee to consider rehabilitating Joymala and eight other Assamese elephants in Tamil Nadu.
The Tamil Nadu government must inspect the facilities housing the nine elephants every month.
Authorities may seize and rehabilitate elephants if they lack adequate nutrition, medical care or other welfare facilities.
People For Cattle in India had petitioned the court in February 2025 over Joymala’s captivity and alleged history of cruelty.
The court referred questions of ownership, transfer and rehabilitation to the high-powered committee rather than ordering Joymala’s immediate rehabilitation.
- Who
- Joymala, also known as Jeymalyatha, and eight other Assamese elephants; the Gauhati High Court, the Tamil Nadu government and a Supreme Court-appointed high-powered committee.
- What
- The court directed the committee to consider the elephants’ ownership, transfer and rehabilitation and ordered monthly inspections of their facilities.
- When
- The latest court direction followed a petition filed by People For Cattle in India in February 2025.
- Where
- The elephants are being kept in Tamil Nadu, while the petition was heard by the Gauhati High Court.
- Why
- The petition raised concerns about Joymala’s prolonged captivity, welfare and alleged history of cruelty, as well as the care provided to the elephants.
Animal-welfare advocates
Temple-related position
Joymala’s future and status
Animal-welfare advocates
People For Cattle in India is seeking Joymala’s rescue and rehabilitation in a suitable elephant sanctuary, with her welfare and dignity prioritized.
Temple-related position
The temple’s position describes Joymala as revered and worshipped; the Gauhati High Court observed that this position appeared to treat her as a movable object rather than placing her welfare at the centre.
- Elephants involved
- Joymala and eight other Assamese elephants, for a total of nine.
- Court
- Gauhati High Court.
- Committee
- Supreme Court-appointed High-Powered Committee.
- Inspection requirement
- Tamil Nadu authorities must inspect the facilities monthly.
- Possible action
- Seizure and rehabilitation may follow if nutrition, medical care or other welfare facilities are inadequate.
- Petitioner
- People For Cattle in India.
- Petition date
- February 2025.