Pune: A celebratory victory procession for newly elected MLA Shankar Mandekar in Pirangut, Pune, has sparked legal controversy after the Forest Department registered a case against the event organizers and the authorities of a Sangli-based temple for allegedly violating the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Shankar Mandekar was recently elected as an MLA from the Bhor, Mulshi, and Velha (Rajgad) Assembly constituency. To mark his electoral success, his supporters organized a grand victory procession in Pirangut on Sunday night, featuring an elephant ride for the MLA and the distribution of sweets. However, the unauthorized use of the elephant in the event has led to legal action.
Procession Videos Go Viral, Leading to Investigation
The incident gained widespread attention after photos and videos of the MLA’s procession on elephant-back went viral on social media. The visuals caught the attention of Pune District Honorary Wildlife Warden Aditya Paranjape, who immediately took note of the matter and alerted the Forest Department.
Subsequent investigations revealed that the procession had been conducted without obtaining prior permission from the relevant authorities. The Forest Department confirmed that event organizer Rahul Balkawade had arranged for the elephant from Shri Ganpati Panchayatan Devasthan in Sangli.
Violation of Wildlife Protection Act
According to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, elephants enjoy special protection, and their use in public processions is subject to strict regulations. Bringing an elephant into crowded areas without proper authorization is considered a legal offense.
Despite these restrictions, the event organizers proceeded with the procession, violating the law. Following the inquiry, a criminal case has been registered against event organizer Rahul Balkawade and the president of Shri Ganpati Panchayatan Devasthan, which provided the elephant for the event.
