Court orders release of elephant seized after fatal Faridpur road crash

An elephant seized following the death of a 10-month-old child in an easy-bike accident in Faridpur's Sadarpur upazila is set to be returned to its owner under a court order.

The elephant had been kept in the custody of Sadarpur Police Station for the past week after residents detained it following the accident, which occurred while money was being collected from motorists using the animal.

Yesterday (4 August), a court directed the officer-in-charge of Sadarpur Police Station to hand over the elephant to its rightful owner.

However, it remained in police custody until yesterday evening as the necessary legal procedures had not yet been completed.

The elephant is owned by Dulal Dewan, a resident of Naogaon district. He had rented it out to a circus troupe for performances at different locations.

Following the accident, locals detained the elephant and its mahout and handed them over to the police, who took both into custody.

Police sources said Nazmul Sardar, a mahout sent by the owner, had been looking after the elephant and ensuring its safety for the past seven days. He has been bathing, feeding and walking the elephant and providing round-the-clock care.

Police also faced difficulties arranging food for the fully grown elephant on the police station premises. Police personnel and the mahout had to collect banana plants, grass and other food every day.

The absence of permanent food storage facilities for the elephant at the police station placed additional pressure on those caring for it. Crowds of curious people also gathered at the station every day to see the animal.

Sadarpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Al Mamun Shah said, "We have received the court order. The elephant will be handed over to its rightful owner after completing the necessary legal procedures in accordance with the court's directive."

On 28 July, a battery-powered three-wheeler lost control and overturned in the Atroshi area of Sadarpur upazila while money was being collected from road users with the elephant.

Ten-month-old Arisha Jannat, who was travelling with her mother, sustained critical injuries in the accident. She died while being taken to Faridpur Medical College Hospital.

Following the incident, an angry crowd beat the elephant's mahout and detained the animal. Police later arrested the mahout and seized the elephant before taking it to Sadarpur Police Station.

The following day, the mahout, Bakul Mia, 24, son of Anisuddin of Mader Char village in Dewanganj upazila of Jamalpur, was sent to jail through a court.