Photo Courtesy: nenow
Guwahati: Assam wildlife authorities have launched a formal investigation after an elephant named Mohan was illegally transported from Lakhimpur to Jaipur. Officials confirmed the movement was facilitated by the use of forged documents and a falsified signature belonging to the Chief Wildlife Warden of Assam.
The scheme was uncovered after the Rajasthan Chief Wildlife Warden alerted Assam forest officials. Rajasthan authorities subsequently seized the elephant and arrested the individuals responsible for the illicit transport. The case is currently moving through the legal system, with proceedings active in both the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Jaipur and the Rajasthan High Court.
Assam officials have opened a parallel investigation. A case has been registered at the CJM court in Lakhimpur, and an FIR regarding the forgery of official signatures is being handled by the Dispur Police Station in Guwahati. Wildlife authorities have stated that "strict legal action would continue against those involved in illegal wildlife transportation and document forgery, and investigations are ongoing."
The issue gained attention after Mubina Akhtar, a wildlife conservationist and member of the Kaziranga Wildlife Society, formally requested details regarding the transfer of captive elephants from Assam. In a June 2026 letter, Akhtar questioned the legality of Mohan's transfer and raised concerns regarding the proposed movement of another elephant from Golaghat. She cited the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and the 2024 Captive Elephant Transfer Rules as the standards for ensuring animal safety during interstate transport.
While investigators continue to examine the case, the forest department noted that there is no current evidence of an illegal transfer involving an elephant named Rama Prasad from Golaghat. Officials have asked the public to report any information that might assist in ongoing wildlife trafficking probes.
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