HC seeks MP govt reply on use of 'injured' elephant in magic show

The Madhya Pradesh High Court today directed the state government to file a reply on a petition alleging that an injured female elephant was used in a cruel manner in a noted illusionist magic show held here recently.

Justice Subodh Abhyankar of the Indore bench ordered the state government to submit its report on the current state of health of the elephant named 'Rajini'.

The HC has fixed the next hearing on June 7.

The petition was filed by the local unit of the Peoples for Animals, an animal rights organisation.

The petitioner claimed that Rajini, who was injured, was used in a cruel manner in Jadugar Anand aka Anand Awasthi's show.

The petitioner alleged that the injured elephant was showcased before the audience during the show in which the magician claimed to make the pachyderm disappear through magic.

According to the petitioner, though it was difficult for the elephant to walk due to injuries and physical deformities, the magician still used the pachyderm in his show.

However, a reply filed in the HC today on behalf of the magician dismissed the allegations as incorrect.

It stated that the female elephant was not injured and was not forced to perform any activity during the show in a manner that might affect its health adversely.

The petitioner demanded that the elephant gets treatment for injuries and released in forest.

The petition also sought appropriate action against the magician and his associates as per the law.