New Delhi:
The Delhi High Court on Friday sought the stand of the Center and the Delhi government on a petition filed by former Indian cricketer Kapil Dev and his wife against cruelty to animals.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma issued notice to the state governments on the petition challenging provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
Petitioners Kapil Dev, his wife Romi Dev and animal rights activist Anjali Gopalan, have said that the plea was filed due to repeated cases of barbaric treatment of animals that have become the “most brutal and cruel face of humanity” and the “utterly tired” response of the law and law enforcement agencies.
The plea challenged a portion of Section 11 of the Act, which ‘provides for the destruction of stray dogs in a killing chamber or in such other manner as may be prescribed and for the extermination or destruction of any animal for the time being brought under the authority of any law whatever falls. into force”, on the grounds that it was arbitrary, unreasonable and contrary to Article 21 (right to life and personal liberty) of the Constitution.
The petitioners have prayed for launching sensitization campaigns on animal rights and have also sought directions for providing scientific and updated tools and training to veterinarians, local investigative agencies and judicial officers to equip them with knowledge of animal laws applicable in the country is in force.
The plea also has Sections 428 (Mischief by killing or mutilating animals worth ten rupees) and 429 (Mischief by killing or mutilating cattle, etc., of any value or any animal worth fifty rupees) of the Indian government. Criminal Code claims it is an example of speciesism which indicates a lack of moral worth or worth in animals.
The case will be heard further on December 19.
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