Well-renowned Malayalam actor Mohanlal has invited big trouble from a Kerala court after the latter had ordered the government to take action against the actor on the grounds of possession of two pairs of ivory. Vetoing the government's plea to withdraw the prosecution proceedings against him, the trial court passed the order that the actor should face the criminal case booked against him. 

The case has a life of a decade. In 2012, the Income Tax department has conducted raids at the places linked to Mohanlal during which the authorities had exhumed two pairs of ivory that were illegally possessed by the actor. Following the revelation, the state forest department has booked a case against Mohanlal under Section 50 of the Wild Life Protection Act. 

According to reports, section 50 of the Wild Life Protection Act prescribes imprisonment for a term not less than three years and extendable up to seven years and a fine for offences related to animals specified in Schedule One of the Act or meat of any such animal or animal article, trophy, or uncured trophy derived from such animals. 

During the inquiry, Mohanlal has said that he had obtained the ivory from the people who cater the elephants and the case has been running for years. The government had then approached a trial court to withdraw the prosecution proceedings against Mohanlal. However, the government's plea was challenged by James Mathew and Poulose, the activists. 

Initially, the duo was banned by the trial court to intervene in the case as third-party intervenors. However, the Kerala High Court has permitted them to take part in the proceedings. In the hearing recently, the prosecution and the defenders had a heated argument that eventually went against the prosecution. During the hearing, the Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP) has contended that proceeding with the case would be a futile exercise and a waste of the precious time of the court.

Responding to the prosecution, Abraham Meachinkara, who represented James Mathew and Poulose, had opposed the withdrawal of prosecution against Mohanlal by arguing that it was against the provisions of law and legal precedents. Recording the submission of the petitioners, the trial court has dismissed the government's plea to stop the prosecution against Mohanlal in the case and it has further ordered to take action against the popular actor.