New Delhi, Aug. 18 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Centre and the Captive Elephant Health and Welfare Committee (CEHWC) to take steps to strengthen the regulatory mechanism for the upkeep, health and welfare of elephants kept in captivity across the country.

The Court also sought a report from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on DNA profiling of captive elephants and directed the authorities to ensure an effective and transparent system for their medical care.

A bench of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana was hearing a PIL filed by the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre concerning the welfare of captive elephants.

The Court was inform...