malayalam star Mohanlal has formally declared its possession of ivory and ivory products to the Kerala Forest Department. The new announcement comes as legal issues surrounding alleged illegal possession of ivory continue.
Mohanlal files new statement
According to BollywoodBubble, Mohanlal informed the department that he currently owns 10 tusks and 13 ivory statues. The statement came after the Kerala High Court canceled the ownership certificate issued for the ivory in 2025. Officials now expect to continue the verification process.
What happened to the case?
The case dates back to 2011, when income tax officials raided Mohanlal’s house in Kochi’s Thevara area. During the search, officers allegedly found ivory and several ivory items inside the house.The items were seized under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, which prohibits possession of ivory without proper government approval. After the seizure, a case was registered.Later, Mohanlal said the tusks came from a captive elephant that died of natural causes. He also said he kept them as souvenirs and “had no idea it was illegal to keep them.”
High Court cancels previous certificate
In 2025, the matter took a new turn when the Kerala High Court ruled that the title certificate issued to Mohanlal was invalid. The certificates were issued after the government allowed him to declare the tusks in 2015, and ownership documents were issued in 2016.The court’s ruling came after petitions filed by retired forest officials and wildlife conservationists. However, the High Court did not order any prosecution against the actor.In his latest statement in 2026, Mohanlal informed the forest department that he owned 10 tusks, which was six more than the number previously declared. He also announced 13 ivory statues. According to reports, the idols include those of Lord Krishna, Lord Rama and Tirupati Balaji, with a total weight of about 46 kilograms.