Popular actor Jaya Ahsan and People for Animal Welfare (PAW) Foundation have jointly filed a writ petition in the High Court on Sunday seeking to halt the cruel treatment of elephants.
The petition aims to put an end to the use of elephants in captive circuses, rides, and various events, as well as prevent their training through torture for such purposes.
The petition highlights the inhumane treatment of captive elephants in Bangladesh, urging the court to intervene and address the issue.
Architect Rakibul Haque Amil, the founder and chairperson of PAW, is representing the petitioners in court. Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Saqeb Mahbub filed the writ for hearing, citing public interest.
The petitioners noted that despite efforts by animal rights activists and promises made by the forest department, no substantial action has been taken to address the abuse of elephants.
Abused elephants, expressing inner anger and pain, have been involved in incidents leading to loss of lives and property in localities.
The filing emphasizes the violation of laws such as the Wildlife (Preservation and Security) Act, 2012, and the Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Act 2019, in the context of training elephants through brutal methods for circuses and extortion activities.
The licensing of elephants by the forest department for use in private circuses is also called into question, especially considering the critically endangered status of the Asian elephant, according to the IUCN red list.