SHASTRA SHARMAN NAMBOOTHIRIPAD Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioners are accused in O.R.No.8/2014 of Olavakode Forest Range. Annexure-A1 is the charge sheet in Form-II submitted by the Range Forest Officer, Olavakode against the petitioners. The offences alleged in Annexure-A1 are under "A(17)" of the Kerala Captive Elephants (Management and Maintenance) Rules, 2012 (for short, 'the Rules 2012') and under Ss. 51 and 52 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (for short, the Act 1972).

(2.) The allegation against the petitioners is that, they have conducted 'Gaja Sangamom' by engaging several elephants without obtaining sanction from the authorities. According to the petitioners, even if the entire allegations are accepted, no offence is attracted.

(3.) Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned Public Prosecutor.