Elephant Mahadevi or Madhuri’s storyhas seen several twists and turns — from the abuse and ailments for 33 years in Kolhapur, to the transfer to Anant Ambani’s Vantara in Jamnagar and the subsequent protests.
Taking note of the protests and sentiments attached to the transfer of Mahadevi (Madhuri) from Kolhapur to Vantara’s Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust, Vantara has now offered to establish a satellite rehabilitation centre for Madhuri in the Nandani area of Kolhapur.
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A look at Elephant Mahadevi’s (Madhuri) journey:
2000s: The Swasthishri Sanstha (Math) got possession of an elephant. It was used by them for auctioning pooja, renting it out for Muharram processions and other processions, street begging and entertainment purposes.
December 2017: The elephant was kept chained. Controlled by using banned metal ankush weapon. It was not kept properly. Due to intense depression, it killed the head priest of the Math.
2018: Local politican Raju Shetti wrote a complaint asking the elephant to be taken away.
April 7, 2018: The trustee of the Sanstha wrote to the Chief Conservator of Forests, Kolhapur, expressing willingness to hand over the elephant to the Forest Department. This letter showed the Sanstha’s own recognition of its inability to continue proper care and its intention to relinquish custody to the appropriate authorities.
January 8, 2023: The Telangana Forest Department registered Wildlife Offence POR No. 12-07/2022-23 under Sections 48A and 54 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 against B. Ismail for unlawful use of the elephant during a religious event.
Post-January 2023: The offence was compounded upon payment of Rs 25,000. The custody of the elephant was handed over to one Shinde of Kolhapur.
August 3, 2023: A letter from Police Inspector, Shirol (Kolhapur) prompted veterinary inspection.
August 12, 2023: Three government veterinary doctors inspected the elephant and found signs of extreme physical and psychological distress including ulcerated wounds, cracked nails, swaying behaviour, and solitary confinement.
October 31, 2023: The High Powered Committee (HPC) received the first complaint from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) concerning Elephant Mahadevi. The complaint showed unauthorised transport (13 times) between Maharashtra and Telangana between 2012 and 2023 without forest department permits. It enclosed extensive photographic and factual documentation including signs of poor treatment, unauthorised usage in religious processions, and lack of welfare. It was recorded that in 2017, the elephant had fatally injured the chief priest of the Math.
March 22, 2024: PETA submitted a second complaint to HPC alleging continued unauthorised use of the elephant in processions including Muharram events.
June 12, 2024: The HPC sub-committee visited the Math premises. Although cultural sentiments were noted, the Committee granted the Math three months to rectify welfare conditions.
June 20, 2024: The first follow-up inspection reported unresolved foot rot, untreated wounds, and continued psychological stress. Recommendations for urgent specialised care were reiterated.
November 25, 2024: The second follow-up inspection showed minimal and cosmetic improvements. Serious violations and suffering persisted.
December 27, 2024: The HPC passed a detailed final order directing the transfer of the elephant to RKTEWT (Vantara), citing expert evidence, medical reports, and lack of compliance by the Math.
June 3, 2025: The HPC reaffirmed its decision after hearing the Sanstha and reviewing its submissions. The elephant’s welfare was prioritised over ritualistic usage.
July 16, 2025: The Bombay High Court dismissed Writ Petition No. 4965 of 2025 filed by the Sanstha. The Court upheld the HPC’s findings and ordered transferwithin two weeks.
July 28, 2025: The Supreme Court of India upheld the Bombay High Court’s judgment, directed that the transfer be completed within two weeks, and listed the matter for compliance on August 11, 2025.
Late July 2025: The authorities concerned and RKTEWT complied with the judicial directions. The elephant was transferred to Vantaraunder court supervision.
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August: Vantara starts working on arecovery plan for Madhuri. It posts on Instagram handle: “Madhuri’s initial health evaluation, revealing chronic foot issues like overgrown toenails and cuticles, signs of laminitis, a long-standing toenail abscess in the right hind foot, and painful swellings on both knees. Radiographs showed fractures and arthritis in her front feet. The team has now devised a detailed treatment protocol to address the root causes, ease her discomfort, improve mobility, and support her recovery. While we await her lab reports, her nutritionist is already planning a tailored diet. For now, Madhuri needs plenty of rest, comfort, and care. To everyone who’s been concerned about Madhuri: we see you, we hear you. We promise her the highest standard of care, gentle, consistent and rooted in love.” A post on Vantara’s handle showed her healing process and routine: “Every elephant deserves a life led by instinct, not instruction. That’s the life Madhuri is finally discovering at Vantara. From when she eats to how she heals, every hour aligns with her pace.”
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August 4: As protests continue, Vantara clarifies that it did not initiate or request the relocation of the elephant named Mahadevi from a monastery in Kolhapur to its facility in Jamnagar but served only as the “court-appointed recipient facility”. “Vantara was not the initiating party, and that the entire process has been conducted under judicial and statutory oversight, in coordination with the appropriate authorities. The organisation acknowledged Mahadevi’s deep emotional and cultural significance in Kolhapur, but it acted solely as a court-appointed recipient facility. The reasons for the transfer are fully documented in the judicial orders, which speak for themselves,” reads the statement from Vantara.
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August 6: Amid the protests over transfer of Elephant Mahadevi (Madhuri) from Kolhapur to Jamnagar, Anant Ambani’s Vantara has offered to establish a satellite rehabilitation centre for Madhuri in the Nandani area of Kolhapur. Vantara will also extend full support to any application filed by the Jain Math and the Government of Maharashtra before the Court requesting Madhuri’s return to Kolhapur, it said in statement. “Vantara acknowledges the deep religious and cultural significance that Madhuri holds for the Jain Math and the people of Kolhapur. For decades, she has been an integral part of deep-rooted spiritual practices and community life. We recognise and respect the sentiments of the devotees, the leadership of the Jain Math, and the wider community who have expressed their concerns and attachment to Madhuri’s presence in Kolhapur,” it read.
I had an extensive discussion with The Vantara team today in Mumbai. Good news is that they assured me that they are happy to join Maharashtra Government’s petition before the Hon’ble Supreme Court for the smooth passage of the elephant 🐘 ‘Madhuri’ back to the Math.
Vantara told… pic.twitter.com/X75AsYrOIb— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) August 6, 2025
CM Devendra Fadnavis in a post on X says: “I had an extensive discussion with The Vantara team today in Mumbai. Good news is that they assured me that they are happy to join Maharashtra Government’s petition before the Hon’ble Supreme Court for the smooth passage of the elephant ‘Madhuri’ back to the Math. Vantara told that they are acting only on the orders of the Hon Supreme Court and had no intentions to grab the custody of ‘Madhuri’. The team also showed their willingness to build a rehab centre for Madhuri in Kolhapur near Nandani at a place selected by the Forest Department of Govt of Maharashtra. They also informed that they give highest respect to the religious sentiments of the community.”
Vantara says the proposed facility will be developed in accordance to the established animal welfare guidelines, after consultation with experts from the High-Powered Committee and consensus of the Math, while aligned to international best practices in elephant care.
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The proposed centre will include:
- Specialised Hydrotherapy Pond for joint and muscular relief
- A second, larger water body for swimming and natural movement
- Laser therapy and treatment room for physical rehabilitation
- Covered night shelter for rest and protection
- Lush open space habitat for unrestricted movement without chains
- Sand pit for environmental enrichment and natural behaviours
- Fully equipped on-site veterinary clinic for 24×7 medical care
- Rubberised flooring platform for safe and comfortable resting
- Carefully formed mounds of soft sand to support sloped resting positions, aiding recovery from foot rot, relieving pressure from arthritis, and reducing stress on joints.
The land for the proposed facility is to be identified in consultation with the Guru of the Jain Math and the Government of Maharashtra. Upon receiving the necessary grants and permissions, Vantara’s expert team is ready to begin implementation in close coordination with relevant authorities.
