Kochi: In a relief of temples in Kerala, the Supreme Court on Thursday stayed Kerala High Court’s guidelines on the use of elephants during temple festivals in the state, media reports said.
Considering the pleas of the managements of Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu temples, a division bench of the Apex court ruled that any directions contrary to the Kerala Captive Elephants (Management and Maintenance) Rules, 2012, will remain suspended.
The Apex Court termed the High Court’s directions as “impractical” and questioned the court’s authority to create rules, observing that such powers are reserved for the rule-making authorities.
The Kerala High Court had earlier issued a series of directives regarding use of elephants during temple festivals which included maintaining a minimum distance of 3 meters between two elephants, an 8-meter gap between elephants and the public among others.
SC stays verdict on elephants
