On February 26 this year, Justice Swaminathan visited a 60-year-old elephant, Lalitha and noticed the she had several physical injuries and was in poor health.
The grounds where the elephants are kept must not be laid with stones but with natural soil and even in locations where the elephants have to stay for long hours for festivals or rituals, the ground must be of natural soil.
The exception allowing private ownership of elephants has led to widespread abuse and harm. Now, legalising their trade will mark a dangerous regression.