Nishka Srinivas Veluvali –
Published On: November 29, 2021 at 20:10 IST
On Monday, 29 November 2021, the Delhi High Court rebuked the Animals Welfare Board of India (AWBI) for being unaware of the whereabouts of the animals, kept in the circus which had been closed down due to COVID-19 and also being insensitive towards the captive animals.
This was in relation to two separate Petitions with the intention of protecting animals stranded in circuses and affected due to COVID-19 crisis , filed by People for Ethical Treatment of Indian Animals Protection Organisation (PETA) and Federation of Indian Animals Protection Organisation (FIAPO).
The High Court ordered the Secretary of AWBI to appear before the Court on the date of next hearing 9 February, to give their side of explanation for their negligence and asked them to file an Affidavit revealing the position of all the animals stayed in the circuses all over the country.
The Bench including Justice Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh claimed that, “There is utter non-compliance of our directions by the AWBI. The matter brooks no delay. We are concerned with the welfare of animals kept by the zoos within India which have suffered on account of the pandemic. Lack of care and attention to the captive animals can prove fatal for them. It appears that AWBI is not sensitive to this need.”
The Bench even stated that, “Despite being the concerned authority, AWBI is not aware of the animals housed in the circuses and in what condition and it appeared to be a complete dereliction of duty on the part of the board.”
The Court alerted the authorities stating that it will not hang back in commencing the action of contempt as the Officials seems to be taking the Court very lightly.