Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Gaurav Gogoi Seeks Records on Transfer of Five Assam Elephants
Gaurav Gogoi wants the Assam government to explain why five elephants were moved to Tamil Nadu.
He wants to know who owned the elephants and where they came from.
He also asked whether money was paid for them.
Gogoi questioned whether all required permissions and court-related clearances were obtained.
He specifically mentioned two elephants named Durga and Bijuli.
He wants information about their mothers and their legal chain of custody.
He also asked whether the destination facility in Madurai was properly checked and whether the elephants were protected during travel.
Gogoi says the elephants should be brought back to Assam and the records should be shared publicly.
Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi sought detailed records on the transfer of five elephants from Assam to Tamil Nadu.
He asked whether the elephants were donated, purchased, or transferred through another arrangement, and sought details of any payments.
Gogoi questioned the elephants’ ownership, provenance, selection criteria, permits, clearances, and chain of custody.
He raised concerns about the inspection of a facility in Madurai, veterinary checks, and safeguards during transportation.
Gogoi called for the elephants to be returned to Assam and for all transfer-related records to be made public.
- Who
- Gaurav Gogoi, Assam Congress president and Lok Sabha member, sought information from the Assam government.
- What
- He demanded records and explanations concerning the transfer of five elephants from Assam to Tamil Nadu.
- When
- The request was made on Monday.
- Where
- The elephants were transferred from Assam to Tamil Nadu; a destination facility in Madurai was also referenced.
- Why
- Gogoi cited questions about ownership, provenance, approvals, facility inspections, animal welfare, and alleged secrecy surrounding the transfer.
Gaurav Gogoi’s concerns
Assam Government’s stated position
Approvals and transparency
Gaurav Gogoi’s concerns
Gogoi questioned whether all required permissions were properly obtained and demanded that the relevant clearances be placed in the public domain.
Assam Government’s stated position
The Assam government has stated before the court that all necessary clearances for the transfer had been secured.
Destination facility
Gaurav Gogoi’s concerns
Gogoi questioned whether the Madurai facility received adequate scrutiny before the elephants were moved, noting that an inspection was reportedly conducted on the same day the transfer was recommended.
Assam Government’s stated position
The article does not provide a detailed response from the government about the timing or adequacy of the facility inspection.
Transfer and welfare
Gaurav Gogoi’s concerns
Gogoi sought information about ownership, payments, selection criteria, veterinary checks, transportation safeguards, and the elephants’ provenance, and called for their return to Assam.
Assam Government’s stated position
The article does not report the government’s detailed response on the transfer arrangement or animal-welfare measures.
- Elephants involved
- Five elephants were transferred from Assam to Tamil Nadu.
- Named elephants
- Gogoi specifically referred to Durga and Bijuli, whom he said were around five years old.
- Requested records
- Ownership, age, provenance, permits, clearances, approvals, and any payments linked to the transfer.
- Destination concern
- Gogoi questioned whether a facility in Madurai was adequately inspected before the transfer.
- Welfare concerns
- He sought details of veterinary checks and safeguards used before and during transportation.
- Government position cited
- The Assam government has asserted before the court that all necessary clearances for the transfer were secured.
- Requested action
- Gogoi called for the five elephants to be returned to Assam and the records to be disclosed publicly.