Devendra Fadnavis Confirms Legal Push For Elephant Mahadevi’s Return From Vantara

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday met with officials from the Reliance Foundation's Vantara project in Gujarat's Jamnagar to discuss the return of Mahadevi, the 36-year-old elephant relocated from Kolhapur. The discussions focused on Mahadevi's repatriation to the Jain shrine in Kolhapur district, where she had lived for over three decades.

In a report by HT Vantara official clarified that the centre has no plans to retain custody of Mahadevi and is only providing care based on a directive from the Supreme Court. "They informed me that they are complying strictly with the Supreme Court's order and have no intention of keeping Mahadevi permanently," said Fadnavis in a post on X.

Fadnavis further noted that Vantara has agreed to support the Maharashtra government's petition for Mahadevi's safe return to the Jain religious trust at Nandani Math. "Vanatara has decided to participate in the petition that the Maharashtra Government has resolved to file," he added.

The chief minister also revealed that the Reliance-run animal rescue and rehabilitation centre has shown readiness to assist the state in setting up a similar facility in Kolhapur, near Nandani Math, on land already identified by the forest department.

The move comes after widespread public concern over Mahadevi's relocation from Kolhapur. Addressing the matter earlier, Fadnavis had assured that his government would pursue legal avenues to ensure her return. After chairing a high-level meeting on Tuesday, he announced, "Considering public sentiment, the state government will intervene in the legal process. The Jain trust will file a review petition in the Supreme Court, and the government will support this by submitting an intervention application."

Mahadevi, also known as Madhuri, had resided at the Swastishri Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswamy Sanstha in Kolhapur for over 30 years. Her relocation followed a Supreme Court verdict on July 22 that upheld an earlier Bombay High Court order. The court decision came in response to petitions from animal welfare organisations, including People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which argued that the elderly and arthritic elephant was not receiving adequate care at the shrine.

Following the ruling, Mahadevi was shifted to the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust in Jamnagar, managed by Vantara, on July 28. Her departure from the Kolhapur shrine was marked by emotional scenes from devotees and caretakers who had looked after her for decades.