Police in Haripad, Alappuzha, registered a case against mahouts after a video showed a 7-month-old infant falling near an elephant during a temple ritual
Police Register Case Against Mahouts After Infant Incident
The police have filed a case against two mahouts after a video surfaced showing a seven-month-old infant falling near the tusker Haripad Skandan. This elephant belongs to the Sree Subrahmanya Swamy temple in Haripad, Alappuzha district. The video emerged on social media on Tuesday.
Details of the Case
The Haripad Police registered a suo motu case based on media reports. The case is under Section 75 (punishment for cruelty to child) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. It also includes Sections 291 (negligent conduct with respect to animal), 125 (act endangering human life or personal safety of others), and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the two mahouts.
Incident Overview
The incident occurred on Sunday, January 4, 2026. One of the mahouts in the video is the infant’s father. The baby was brought to the temple for the ‘choroonu’ ceremony and was taken near the temple afterward.
Video Description
In the video, the mahout is seen passing the infant under the elephant’s body. This action is part of a superstitious belief to ward off fear. At one point, while standing close to the tusker, the baby slips from the mahout’s hands and falls near the elephant’s feet. Fortunately, the child escaped without injuries.
Previous Incident with the Elephant
It is noteworthy that the elephant had previously gored a mahout to death after becoming violent on August 31, 2025. Since then, the elephant had been tethered as it was in musth.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Incident Date | January 4, 2026 |
| Location | Sree Subrahmanya Swamy temple, Haripad, Alappuzha |
| Age of Infant | 7 months |
| Case Sections | Juvenile Justice Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita |
| Previous Incident | Mahout gored to death on August 31, 2025 |
