India, Feb. 5 -- The Pune forest department has filed a preliminary observation report (POR) against the event organiser from Urawade village in Mulshi and the elephant owner from Sangli district for illegally holding an elephant procession and violating the permission norms. The department will seize the animal and the case will be investigated by Pune and Sangli forest officials.

The forest department on Monday initiated a probe against Rahul Balkawade, who had organised the event on Sunday to felicitate Shankar Mandekar, the newly elected Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Bhor constituency.

During the event, a procession was held in which the MLA seated on the elephant distributed sweets to villagers. Honorary wildlife warden...