Malayalam superstar Mohanlal has returned to the spotlight over a decade-old case involving alleged possession of elephant tusks.
The issue resurfaced after the actor submitted updated details to the Kerala Forest Department, declaring that he currently has 10 elephant tusks and 13 ivory-made idols.
Indian media reports said the Kerala High Court cancelled Mohanlal’s ivory ownership certificate in 2025. After that, the actor provided fresh details of his ivory items under a Forest Department initiative, bringing the old case back into focus.
The matter began in 2011 when Income Tax Department officials searched Mohanlal’s home in Thevara, Kochi. The officials were looking for financial documents and cash during the search. However, they reportedly found elephant tusks and several ivory items at the residence.
Authorities seized the items and filed a case under India’s wildlife protection laws. Indian law prohibits people from keeping elephant tusks or ivory without valid government permission.
During the investigation, Mohanlal said the tusks belonged to his pet elephant, which died naturally. He said he kept them as memories. The actor also claimed he did not know that he needed government approval to possess such items.
Authorities issued an ivory ownership certificate in his name in 2016. The case later remained quiet for years until the Kerala High Court cancelled the certificate in 2025.
Following the court’s decision, Mohanlal submitted updated information about his ivory collection to the Forest Department.
The latest declaration shows that Mohanlal has 10 elephant tusks, six more than his earlier declaration. He also has 13 ivory idols, including figures of Lord Krishna, Lord Ram and Tirupati Balaji. The idols together weigh around 46 kilograms.
Mohanlal said most of the ivory items came to him through inheritance or as gifts. However, the Forest Department will examine the source, legality and related documents of the items. Officials may also conduct scientific tests, including DNA analysis, if necessary.
The new declaration does not confirm any new offence against Mohanlal. The Forest Department said it will complete its verification before deciding on any further legal action.
While the old case has not resulted in new charges at this stage, the ongoing investigation has once again placed the popular actor under legal and public scrutiny.
