The judge is accused of capturing it from the jungle, maintaining fake documents and getting bogus registration papers in order to keep it.

After it was found he had violated acts on public property, wildlife etc., Gamage had handed the baby jumbo to the wildlife office in Battamulla.

However, responsible authorities are keeping silent over his having violated the law.

When contacted, deputy solicitor general Sobhitha Rajakaruna said he was unaware the police had sought advice from the attorney general’s department with regard to the matter.

Wildlife chief H.R. Ratnayake said they were currently dealing with around 20 incidents of illegal rearing of elephants.

All information has been sent to the AG’s department, which has instructed that the cases be referred to the CID, he said.

Ratnayake said the investigations were underway by his department, together with the CID, in accordance with proper procedures.