Mohanlal Faces Setback As Kerala High Court Strikes Down His Ivory Ownership Certificates

In a setback to Mohanlal, the Kerala High Court held that the ivory ownership certificates issued to the Malayalam superstar are 'illegal and unenforceable'. The said certificates were issued to Mohanlal by the Kerala Government.A Division Bench of Justice AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Jobin Sebastian passed the ruling. They struck down the Government orders and ownership certificates that were issued on January 16, 2016 and April 6, 2016 by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Wildlife in favour of the actor. According to the Court, the Government orders are 'void'.However, the Court also made an important clarification. It said that the State Government can still issue a fresh notification as per Section 44 of the Wildlife Protection

Act 1972 if it wants to provide Mohanlal the benefits and legal immunity under the law.The judgment came while hearing PILs filed by James Mathew and Paulose. They argued that the certificates were issued through corruption and collusion to regularise ivory that was in illegal possession.

What is the Mohanlal Ivory case online?

The controversy dates back to June 2012 when the Income Tax Department conducted a raid at Mohanlal’s Kochi home. Officials found two pairs of ivory during the raid. Since he did not have the required certificate at that time, a case was registered under Section 50 of the Wildlife Protection Act.Mohanlal later approached the government in January 2016 and again in September 2019 asking it to withdraw the case. He claimed that the ivory had been purchased legally. After this request, the government issued him the certificates that are now cancelled by the Court.In 2023, a Judicial Magistrate rejected the State’s move to drop the criminal case against Mohanlal. But later, the Kerala High Court set aside that order and sent the matter back for reconsideration.