State Government Will Also File a Review Petition in Supreme Court – Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

CM Takes Initiative to Bring Back Madhuri (Mahadevi), the Elephant, to Nandani Math

Mumbai, Aug 2025 : There is a strong public sentiment that Madhuri, the elephant from Nandani Math (Taluka Shirol, District Kolhapur), should return to Nandani. Respecting this sentiment, the Math should file a review petition in the Supreme Court. The State Government will also file an independent review petition to present its stance regarding bringing the elephant back, asserted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He assured that the State Government fully stands with the Math in this matter.

A meeting was held today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the Cabinet Hall of the Mantralaya regarding the issue of Madhuri alias Mahadevi, the elephant of Nandani Math. During this meeting, the Chief Minister clarified the State Government’s position. Present at the meeting were Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Forest Minister Ganesh Naik, Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan, Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif, Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Prakash Abitkar, representatives of Nandani Math, and several people’s representatives.

A Team with Doctors Will Be Formed to Ensure the Elephant’s Care

Taking into account the traditions of Nandani Math and the sentiments of the local people, CM Fadnavis said that efforts will be made to bring Madhuri alias Mahadevi back to the Math through legal processes. He highlighted that Madhuri has been at Nandani Math for the past 34 years, and the public strongly wishes for her return. The State Government will file a review petition considering this sentiment. The Math should also include the State Government in their petition. Additionally, the Forest Department will present an independent and detailed argument in the Supreme Court.

All concerns raised by the Central Zoo Authority and the High-Level Committee will be addressed. The State Government will form a team, including doctors, to ensure the elephant’s proper care. If necessary, arrangements similar to a rescue center will also be made. Furthermore, the State Government will request the Supreme Court to appoint an independent committee to inspect these facilities, CM Fadnavis added. He also assured that cases filed against citizens related to this matter will be withdrawn.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar directed the Forest Department to collect information about all elephants from Maharashtra that have been taken out of the state. People’s representatives present at the meeting urged the State Government to take the initiative to bring Madhuri back, keeping public sentiments in mind.

Present at the meeting were MPs Dhairyasheel Mane and Vishal Patil, MLAs Rajendra Patil-Yadravkar, Vishwajeet Kadam, Satej Patil, Ashok Mane, Sadabhau Khot, Rahul Awade, Amol Mahadik, former MP Raju Shetty, former MLA Prakash Awade, Pujya Swastishree Jinsen Mahaswamiji of Nandani Math, Lalit Gandhi (Chairman of Jain Minority Development Corporation), Additional Chief Secretary (Forests) Milind Mhaiskar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Shrinivas Rao, Kolhapur District Collector Amol Yedge, Jain monks, and local public representatives.