P&H High Court imposes ₹5K cost on NGO alleging non-implementation of animal protection law

The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently imposed a cost of ₹5,000 on an Amritsar-based non-governmental organization (NGO) which had approached the Court with a plea seeking the implementation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

The NGO Zariyaan for Voiceless Welfare Society alleged that the law was not being followed. It flagged concerns about the rising population of stray animals as well as the deaths and injuries caused by them. It also sought directions for free medical aid to injured animals.

The Division Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry said the issue was already covered by the directions issued by the Court in July 2024.

"Though the petitioner has failed to disclose, but this Court is of the considered view that same issue has been dealt with and appropriate directions and writs have already been issued on 03.07.2024, where CWP-PIL-183-2019 titled as ‘Jatinder Jain vs. State of Haryana and others’ and CWP-19104-2018 titled as ‘Court on its own Motion vs. State of Haryana and others’ were disposed of," it said.

Thus, the Court said the plea was superfluous and dismissed it with a cost to be deposited in the Disaster Relief Fund of Punjab State Legal Services Authority.

"In view of above, present petition is infructuous and superfluous, and is therefore dismissed with costs of Rs.5,000/-, to be deposited in the Punjab State Legal Services Authority-Disaster Relief Fund, Account No. 44426937384, IFSC code-SBIN0014656, State Bank of India, Sector 68, SAS Nagar, within seven (7) days," it ordered on September 4.

Advocate Dolli Sharma represented the petitioner.

Additional Solicitor General Satya Pal Jain with Central Government Counsel Shreyansi Verma represented the Union of India.

Deputy Advocate General Salil Sabhlok represented the Punjab government. Additional Advocate General Deepal Balyan represented the State of Punjab.

[Read Order]