Wednesday, May 13, 2015 12:25 hrs IST
 
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has directed that elephants should be paraded for festivals only by following the guidelines strictly.

The apex court said it will issue a notice to the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) and various organisations of elephant owners in this regard.

The court, in the notice, made it clear that those who violate the directive will be booked on charges of non-bailable offences.

Action will be taken against elephant owners and festival committees who violate the order for contempt of court.

The apex court issued the directive on a petition filed by a voluntary organisation based in Bengaluru. The petitioners argued that torturing of captive elephants in the name of festivals is a violation of the Wildlife Protection Act.

Earlier, the AWBI had reported that elephants which were paraded as part of Thrissur Pooram were tortured.

Read more