India, Oct. 9 -- The Supreme Court on Friday pulled up the Kerala government for failing to place on record the steps taken to safeguard Uttoly Raman -- the state's tallest captive elephant, since it ordered the animal's custody to be transferred to the state in June, directing authorities to produce his latest medical examination report on October 12.

A bench of justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu questioned the state's claim that it had taken custody of the elephant soon after the June 9 order, asking why the fact had not been disclosed in its affidavit and why the court had been kept in the dark about the steps taken to ensure the animal's welfare.

"What were you doing since June 9? What happened since June? Where is that recorded...