Mohanlal Declares 10 Elephant Tusks, 13 Ivory Idols Under Kerala Amnesty Scheme as Wildlife Trial Continues

Veteran Malayalam actor Mohanlal has declared to the Kerala Forest Department that he possesses 10 elephant tusks and 13 ivory idols under the state's one time wildlife amnesty scheme, even as he continues to face trial in a long running case over the alleged illegal possession of wildlife articles. The fresh declaration follows the Kerala High Court's 2025 decision cancelling the ownership certificates earlier issued for the ivory items, prompting a fresh compliance process under the revised framework.

Officials at the Malayattoor Divisional Forest Office said Mohanlal, who had earlier declared four elephant tusks, has now disclosed six additional tusks. The 13 ivory idols include representations of Lord Krishna, Lord Rama and Tirupati Balaji, with a combined weight of around 46 kg. Mohanlal has stated that most of the tusks were inherited or received as gifts. The Forest Department will conduct DNA tests to verify the authenticity and origin of the tusks and ivory artefacts.

According to recent reports, Mohanlal had approached the Forest Department under the amnesty scheme before the declaration was made public, and officials have begun documenting the articles. The inventory will be examined by the Chief Wildlife Warden as part of the verification process. The declaration, however, does not automatically affect the ongoing criminal proceedings.

The case dates back to 2011, when an Income Tax Department raid reportedly recovered elephant tusks and ivory idols from the actor's residences. The Forest Department subsequently registered a case alleging possession of two pairs of elephant tusks without valid permission. Although the Kerala government later sought to withdraw the prosecution, both the trial court and the Kerala High Court refused, directing that the legal proceedings continue.