PAWS-Mumbai send written complaint demanding FIR against Rati Ram Goswami, the owner of the elephants (Bijli–Ramu & Laxmi) from Mumbai - Mulund

On 18th June 2013, Plant & Animals Welfare Society - Mumbai (PAWS-Mumbai) office have send an written complaint to Senior Police Inspector - Mulund Police Station and Range Forest Office - Mumbai along with photographs showing real fact condition of both the elephant Bijli-Ramu and Laxmi owned by Rati Ram Goswami, copy of it was forwarded to all the senior law enforcement authorities including Animal Welfare Board of India, Committee to Monitor Animal Welfare Laws in Maharashtra and Dr. Patangrao Kadam - Hon. Minister of Forest, Govt. of Maharashtra.

Despite the order of the Chief Conservator of Forest – Thane vide Circular No.D-8(4)/WLP/OW / 128/ 07-08, Thane 400 603, Dated 24/7/2007, there is widespread usage of Elephants by Goswami for the purpose of begging in Bhandup, Mulund & Thane areas.  Also the two elephants are being neglected and abused.

PAWS-Mumbai also brought to the notice that a moving vehicle had injured one elephant (Bijli) and later the owner made her walk the distance from the accident site to his home. This over-strain made the elephant collapse near the house on the road.

PAWS-Mumbai also the law enforcement authority to ...........

• kindly inspect the documents which prove that two elephants are owned and transported in a legal manner into the city limit which is mandatory as per the law (e.g.  Ownership Certificate, Transit Permit, Medical Fitness Certificate from and authorized Veterinarian, Certificate of Implantation of Microchip, Elephant Insurance Policy, etc.).
• Inspect the availability of space and capability of the owners to keep, nurture, feed and protect the two elephants.
• If it is found that the two elephants are possessed illegally and ill-treated, then kindly seize them and transfer them to animal rehabilitation center.
• On the basis of the investigations done by us and the news-paper reports, photographs etc. we urge you to kindly register an FIR against the owners of the elephants.

PAWS-Mumbai also requested the law enforcement authorities that your inaction on this issue would further endanger the life, safety and well-being of these two wild animals, which could lead to even death.  You being the law-enforcement agency would be liable for punishment if the abuse of these two elephants continue, which please note.

This letter was signed by Sunish Subramanian Kunju, who is Founder & Secretary of Plant & Animals Welfare Society - Mumbai and Hon. Animal Welfare Officer of Animal Welfare Board of India.

Photographs showing real fact condition of both the elephant Bijli-Ramu and Laxmi owned by Rati Ram Goswami

On 11 June 2013 a day after Bijli-Ramu was hit by
a moving vehicle at mulund and the owner Goswami
is cleaning the wound and washing the body
with water without any medical treatment

On 11 June 2013 elephant  Laxmi owned by 
Goswami was seen using for begging near 
Mulund Railway Station - West

On 12 June 2013 later the Bijli -Ramu owner made her walk the
distance from the accident site to his home. This over-strain
made the elephant collapse near the house.



Certificate of Ownership was issued by

Office of the Wildlife Warden, Madhya Pradesh

on Dated 21-5-02 to owner Name : Rati Ram Goswami and

Elephant (Female) Name : Bijli Age : 45 Years