Mohanlal turns to Kerala govt's amnesty scheme to declare ivory articles, avoid legal action: Report

Actor Mohanlal has approached the Kerala Forest Department to declare ivory articles in his possession under the Kerala government's one-time amnesty scheme, seeking immunity from legal action, The Hindu has reported.

According to sources cited by the news organisation, a senior Forest Department official recently visited the actor's residence in Kochi and conducted an inquiry under Section 41 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. During the inquiry, Mohanlal was reportedly questioned about how he acquired the wildlife articles, their age and why they had not been declared earlier.

High Court had cancelled ownership certificates

The development comes after a Division Bench of the Kerala High Court, in October 2025, cancelled the ownership certificates issued to Mohanlal for the ivory articles. The Bench also quashed the government order that had legalised his possession of the ivory.

The court identified a procedural lapse, observing that the 2015 government notification had never been published in the official gazette. As a result, the ownership certificates and the licence permitting possession of the ivory ceased to have legal effect.

The Bench had, however, observed that the State government could issue a fresh notification allowing people in possession of such articles to declare them and seek immunity under a one-time amnesty scheme.

According to The Hindu, despite the High Court setting aside the ownership certificates, the Forest Department did not initiate legal proceedings over the alleged illegal possession of the ivory articles. The new development comes at this juncture.

Legal challenge pending

Meanwhile, Mohanlal has challenged before the Kerala High Court a trial court order rejecting the State government's decision to withdraw the prosecution against him. A separate petition filed by the actor seeking to quash the entire criminal proceedings is also pending before the High Court.