Kochi: Kerala High Court on Monday temporarily banned the public procession of Kerala's most-celebrated domesticated elephant Thechikottukavu Ramachandran. The action was based on the report of the assistant forest conservator, who recommended a permanent ban.

The order comes amidst the hearing of a review petition by Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

HC directed the Thechikottukavu devaswom to update the status of the sight of the right eye of the animal, which is believed to be completely blind. The sight of its left eye is reportedly only 50 per cent.

Owned by Thechikottukavu temple in Thrissur, the elephant has taken the lives of 13 people so far in various incidents when it was on its musth. Ramachandran is reportedly the tallest elephant in Kerala. Elephant lovers call it 'Gajarajan' or King of Elephants, and have given him a title: Ekachathrathipathi.

Though the animal has a fan base in Kerala, its origin is Assam.