Entertainment
Mohanlal Declares 10 Elephant Tusks, 13 Ivory idols under kerala amnesty scheme as wildlife trial continues
The veteran actor says most of the wildlife articles were inherited or received as gifts, while the Forest Department plans DNA tests to verify their authenticity.
Veteran Malayalam actor Mohanlal has declared the possession of 10 elephant tusks and 13 ivory idols to the Kerala Forest Department under its ongoing amnesty scheme, even as legal proceedings against him in a wildlife case continue.
According to officials from the Malayattoor Divisional Forest Office, the declaration was made as part of the department’s initiative that allows individuals to voluntarily disclose unregistered wildlife articles in their possession without inviting fresh legal action.
Six More Tusks Added to Earlier Declaration
Mohanlal had previously declared ownership of four elephant tusks. In the latest submission, he disclosed six additional tusks, taking the total number in his possession to 10.
The actor also declared 13 ivory idols, including statues of Lord Krishna, Lord Rama, and Tirupati Balaji. Officials said the combined weight of the ivory idols is around 46 kilograms.
According to the declaration, Mohanlal stated that most of the tusks were either inherited from family members or received as gifts over the years.
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DNA Tests to Verify Ivory Articles
Forest Department officials said the declared tusks and ivory idols will undergo DNA testing to establish their authenticity and determine whether they comply with wildlife regulations.
The verification process forms part of the department’s procedure under the amnesty scheme, which is designed to document and regulate wildlife articles that were previously unregistered.
Wildlife Case Still Before the Court
Despite the fresh declaration, Mohanlal continues to face trial in a long-running wildlife case linked to the alleged illegal possession of elephant tusks.
The case dates back to 2011, when an Income Tax Department raid at the actor’s residences reportedly led to the recovery of elephant tusks and ivory articles. Following the search, the Kerala Forest Department registered a case alleging that he possessed two pairs of elephant tusks without valid permission, in violation of wildlife laws.
High Court Allowed Trial to Continue
The Kerala government had earlier attempted to withdraw the case. However, the trial court rejected the request, and the Kerala High Court later upheld that decision, allowing the prosecution to proceed.
In another significant development last year, the High Court cancelled the ownership certificates issued for the ivory articles in Mohanlal’s possession. The court also set aside a government order that had permitted the actor to retain the elephant tusks.
With the latest declaration now submitted under the amnesty scheme, the Forest Department will complete its verification process, while the ongoing court proceedings in the wildlife case continue independently.
