Mechinkara said that the mere certificate was not the basis for withdrawing the case against Mohanlal.
Petitioners James Mathew and AA Pauloj have challenged the government’s withdrawal plea.
Veteran actor Mohanlal will face trial in a wildlife crime case registered against him, a court has ordered. A case has been registered against Mohanlal for illegally possessing two pairs of ivory. A trial court on Thursday dismissed the state government’s plea to withdraw the prosecution proceedings against him.
Petitioners James Mathew and AA Pauloj have challenged the government’s withdrawal plea. The petitioners’ counsel Abraham P. Mechinkara opposed the withdrawal of the prosecution. According to Mechinkara, the ownership certificate provided to Mohanlal for the ivory is void.
Mechinkara said that the mere certificate was not the basis for withdrawing the case against Mohanlal. Mechinkara said that no case has been registered against the actor for 13 ivory artifacts, adding that these artifacts were found along with two pairs of ivory tusks. The tough stand of the court may make things more difficult for Mohanlal.
Following a raid by the Income Tax Department in June 2012, two pairs of ivory tusks were found from his house in Thevara, Kochi. Section 50 of the Wildlife Protection Act provides for severe punishment for this act. Section 50 provides for punishment of not less than 3 years for this criminal act. The punishment may extend to seven years and may also be liable to fine. These offenses have been specified in Schedule I of this Act.
Mohanlal applied to the government in January 2016 and September 2019, urging the withdrawal of the case. Mohanlal claimed that the ivory was bought legally. Following this claim, Mohanlal was granted a waiver by the United Democratic Front government.
The exemption continued during the tenure of the Left Democratic Front government. The LDF government had filed a petition saying that they have no objection in withdrawing the case against Mohanlal. This petition has now been dismissed by the court.
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