The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) India on Tuesday claimed an investigation carried out by the animal rights organisation revealed that Joymala, a female elephant from Assam, remains “shackled in chains” and in “complete isolation” in the custody of the Srivilliputhur Nachiyar Thirukovil temple in Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu.

Peta India representatives said in Guwahati that their findings refute the claims made by the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department that Joymala is “absolutely doing good”.

“The department had tweeted a public relations video in September showing Joymala walking unchained and with access to a pool, but Peta India’s latest video evidence shows the pool stands empty today. Joymala was never returned to the custodian in Assam by the Srivilliputhur Nachiyar Thirukovil temple after her permit to stay in the state expired,” Peta India said, recommending that Joymala be sent to a rehabilitation centre to end her ongoing “ordeal” at the temple.

Peta India’s campaigns manager Radhika Suryavanshi said: “Don’t let anyone fool you. Peta India’s investigation shows Joymala is living a miserable life of pain and fear, denied the opportunity to move around freely or to socialise with other elephants. Enough is enough. It is high time for Joymala to be seized and sent to a rehabilitation centre where she can feel safe, recover from her trauma, and be in the company of other elephants.”

According to Peta India’s media coordinator Hiraj Laljani, the organisation carried out its investigation over three days from November 10 to 13. Peta India has been flagging the “torture” inflicted on Joymala since 2021.

The organisation had on August 26 shared a video showing a mahout torturing Joymala, creating a flutter in Assam and prompting the BJP-led Assam government to send a four-member team to Chennai on September 2 to hold discussion with forest department officials there to “pave a way” for the immediate return of nine captive elephants from Assam, including Joymala, being kept at various temples in the southern state after assessing their health condition.

Joymala, currently aged 16, was transported to Tamil Nadu from the Tinsukia district in Assam on the basis of an NOC and transit pass issued by the Assam government on September 8, 2011, permitting the animal to be retained in the Nachiyar temple for a period of three years.

However, even after the expiry of the term of the no objection certificate (NOC), the elephant has not been returned.

The Assam government moved the Gauhati High Court in September over Joymala allegedly being held captive in a temple” and being “meted out brutal treatment by the persons holding the animal in captivity”.

It also apprised the court about the Assam team not being able to inspect the elephant due to the alleged lack of cooperation from the Tamil Nadu government.

The high court passed an interim order directing the Tamil Nadu government to allow the Assam team to “inspect” the health condition of Joymala.

The DMK-headed Tamil Nadu government then extended all cooperation to the Assam team.

The details of the inspection report have not been made public because the matter was subjudice.

Peta India said the Assam environment and forest department is seeking directions for the transfer of the “abused” elephant back to Assam through the Gauhati High Court. The case is coming up for a hearing on November 17.

“However, Peta India requests both the state governments to work together to help Joymala recover, that she be sent to a specialised rehabilitation centre skilled in handling abused elephants, as approved by the central government’s Project Elephant division, where she can live unchained and in the company of other elephants,” Suryavanshi said.

Peta India said abused elephants are dangerous as many retaliate.

“According to figures compiled by the Heritage Animal Task Force, captive elephants killed 526 people in Kerala alone in a 15-year span,” the organisation said.