People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India has expressed deep disappointment over the Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss its plea seeking the rehabilitation of ailing elephant Madhuri, also known as Mahadevi, at the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust (RKTEWT) in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

The decision means Madhuri will remain at Nandani Math in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, where PETA India alleges she is being kept tethered alone in a shed despite suffering from serious health conditions. The organisation said the ruling was a missed opportunity to advance elephant welfare, particularly as nearly 50 temples across India have adopted mechanical elephants for religious ceremonies.