Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held discussions with Vantara Project (an animal rescue and rehabilitation center owned by Ambani's Reliance Foundation in Jamnagar, Gujarat) officials on Wednesday, regarding the return of elephant Mahadevi (Madhuri) to Kolhapur.
During the meeting, a Vantara official assured of full cooperation of the rehabilitation center with the Maharashtra Government in the legal process, adding that Vantara had no intention of keeping the 36-year-old arthritic elephant in its possession, and is caring for the animal only in compliance with the Supreme Court's order.
After the discussions, CM Fadnavis shared an update about the same on his X account, "I had a detailed discussion in Mumbai with senior officials of Vantara management. They have assured me that Vantara has decided to participate in the petition that the Maharashtra Government has resolved to file, seeking the safe return of the elephant Mahadevi (Madhuri) to Nandani Math."
He added, "During the discussion, they informed me that they were only complying with the orders of the Hon'ble Supreme Court and had no intention of taking custody of Mahadevi, the elephant, on their own."
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) August 6, 2025
The Chief Minister further told that Vantara has also expressed its willingness to lend assistance in setting up a rehabilitation center for Mahadevi near Nandani Math in Kolhapur on a land selected by the Forest Department.
Vantara also released a statement, stating that it acknowledged the "deep religious and cultural significance that Madhuri holds for the Jain Math and the people of Kolhapur."
It said, "In alignment with our lawful conduct, responsible animal care, and community cooperation, Vantara will extend full support to any application filed by the Jain Math and the Government of Maharashtra before the Hon'ble Court requesting Madhuri's return to Kolhapur. Subject to the court's approval, Vantara will provide complete technical and veterinary assistance for her safe and dignified return."
Vantara has proposed to cooperate with the Jain Math and the Maharashtra Government to establish a satellite rehabilitation centre for Mahadevi in Kolhapur's Nandani area.
It added, "The proposed centre will include a specialised hydrotherapy pond for joint and muscular relief, a second larger body for swimming and natural movement, laser therapy, and a treatment room for physical rehabilitation, covered night shelter for rest and protection, lush open space habitat for unrestricted movement without chains, sand pit for environmental enrichment and natural behaviours, fully-equipped on-site veterinary clinic for 24X7 medical care, rubberised flooring platform for sale and comfortable resting, carefully formed mounds of soft sand to support sloped resting positions, aiding recovery from foot rot, relieving pressure from arthritis, and reducing stress on joints."
The Supreme Court's decision led to huge public outrage, drawing protests all around. Following this, the Maharashtra Government decided to explore legal options in order to bring Mahadevi back to the Jain Shrine in Kolhapur. He said, "Considering the public sentiments, the State Government will intervene in the legal process to bring back the Mahadevi elephant. The Jain shrine will submit a review petition in the Supreme Court, and the state government will help them by submitting an intervention application."
Everyone's beloved Mahadevi, aka MadhuriMahadevi, aka Madhuri, the elephant, used to live with the Swastishri Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswami Sanstha at Nandani in Kolhapur. She had been a part of the community for over three decades. But, a few days back in July, the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Bombay High Court to relocate Mahadevi to the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust in Jamnagar, Gujarat, which is managed by Vantara.
The order came after various animal welfare organisations, such as the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), had approached the court, highlighting Mahadevi's physically frail pachyderm's poor health, and arguing that she was not receiving proper treatment at the Math.
The order was upheld by the Supreme Court on July 22 and was relocated to Vantara on July 28, after a teary farewell in Kolhapur.