The Kerala High Court has temporarily stayed the ongoing trial against the actor Mohanlal, who is accused of possessing illegal ivory. Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan issued a six-month stay on the proceedings in the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Perumbavoor, on Monday.

Mohanlal faced charges after the Income Tax Department allegedly discovered illegal ivory in his Kochi residence during a raid in June 2012. The Forest Department filed a case against him under Section 50 of the Wild Life Protection Act.

Mohanlal had twice requested the government to withdraw the case in January 2016 and September 2019, arguing that the ivory was obtained legally. The State initially granted him relaxation, leading the prosecution to request the case's withdrawal. However, the Magistrate dismissed the State's request.

Subsequently, Mohanlal appealed to the Kerala High Court, which initially denied his plea but instructed the magistrate to reconsider the State's request. The State then made a fresh plea to withdraw the case, which the Magistrate rejected, emphasizing that the Wild Life Protection Act aims to preserve national interests rather than individual rights.

JFCM Anju Cletus, the Magistrate, also directed Mohanlal to appear before the trial court on November 3. Mohanlal is now challenging this order in the High Court.