The Supreme Court has directed the Kerala government to take over custody of the elephant Raman and house it in an appropriate rehabilitation centre, citing concerns over its welfare and alleged commercial exploitation. A two-judge Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma noted that the elephant, described as the tallest in the State at 10.53 ft, had been used in ceremonial processions and rituals despite a restraint order. “It is truly unfortunate that the elephant in question i.e., Raman, who also happens to be the tallest elephant in the state of Kerala has been subjected to commercial exploitation despite an order restraining such exploitation, that too on the strength of an undertaking made before this court.”