Wed Jan 07 07:31:25 UTC 2026: ### Infant Endangerment Leads to Police Investigation at Kerala Temple

The Story:

Police in Kerala, India, have launched an investigation after a video surfaced showing a seven-month-old infant being passed under an elephant, Haripad Skandan, at the Sree Subrahmanya Swamy temple in Haripad, Alappuzha district. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, January 4, 2026, involved a mahout, who is also the infant’s father, subjecting the child to a superstitious practice intended to ward off fear. The baby slipped from the mahout’s grasp and fell near the elephant’s feet but thankfully escaped injury.

The Haripad Police have registered a suo motu case based on media reports on the incident under Section 75 (punishment for cruelty to child) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and Sections 291 (negligent conduct with respect to animal), 125 (act endangering human life or personal safety of others) and 3(5)(common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the two mahouts. Adding to the concern, the same elephant had fatally gored a mahout on August 31, 2025, and had been tethered since then due to being in musth.

Key Points:

  • Incident occurred on January 4, 2026, at the Sree Subrahmanya Swamy temple in Haripad, Alappuzha district.
  • A seven-month-old infant was passed under the elephant Haripad Skandan by his mahout father.
  • The baby slipped and fell near the elephant’s feet but was unharmed.
  • Police have registered a case against two mahouts under the Juvenile Justice Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
  • The elephant had previously killed a mahout on August 31, 2025, and was in musth at the time.

Critical Analysis (Optional):
Not Applicable

Key Takeaways:

  • Traditional beliefs can lead to dangerous practices, particularly concerning the well-being of children.
  • The incident highlights the ongoing issue of human-animal interaction and safety protocols, especially when dealing with potentially dangerous animals like elephants.
  • The police’s swift action in registering a case indicates a commitment to upholding child protection laws.
  • The fact that the elephant was known to be dangerous (having killed a mahout previously) raises questions about why it was allowed near the public, even tethered.

Impact Analysis (Optional):
Not Applicable

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