Save the elephant: Sonakshi

Award-winning actor Sonakshi Sinha fired off a letter on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India calling on Rajasthan Minister for Forest, Environment, Youth Affairs and Sports Gajendra Singh Khimsar to relocate an elephant, known only as "Number 44", to a rehabilitation facility for urgent care after a group of American tourists witnessed eight men violently beating her at Amber Fort.

"It has been three years since an inspection team authorised by the Animal Welfare Board of India documented rampant and widespread abuse of elephants used for rides in Jaipur, including at Amber Fort," Sinha writes. "I respectfully request that you start with Number 44, who should be confiscated and sent to a rehabilitation facility for treatment and care. This animal deserves to live without chains and in the company of other elephants."

Sinha's letter follows PETA India's complaint to the Chief Wildlife Warden of the Rajasthan Forest Department, which resulted in a show-cause notice issued to Number 44's custodian, Wasid Khan, holding him responsible for the abuse.

As per PETA, the notice stated that an investigation carried out by the Regional Forest Officer for Jaipur Zoo, as well as a photograph supplied by an American witness, indicated that the elephant was treated cruelly, in violation of numerous animal-protection laws.