Karnataka high court dismisses PIL challenging translocation of 23 elephants to Madhya Pradesh

BANGALORE: In an interesting development, the Karnatakka high court has dismissed a public interest litigation ( PIL)challenging the proposal of the Karnataka government to translocate/transfer 23 elephants to Madhya Pradesh.

"In the instant case, the state government in its wisdom has taken a policy decision for the translocation of the elephants having regard to the expenditure to be incurred by in maintaining the said elephants and other considerations. These matters are within the realm of the state government.This court, in exercise of its jurisdiction of article 226 of the constitution cannot sit in judgement over the decision of the state government to translocate the elephants concerned. It is also brought to our notice that the state had already brought this issue to the notice of the Ministry of Environment and Forest(central government).If that is so, then it is the matter between state government and the Madhya Pradesh government with central government having jurisdiction.We do not think that we can interfere, " a division bench headed by Chief Justice D H Waghela has observed while dismissing the PIL filed by animal rights/welfare organizations.

The petitioners have claimed violation of Wild life (protection)Act, 1972.