HP High Court Directs DLSA Secy To Inspect Cow Sanctuary Amidst Allegations Of Animal Neglect

A direction to this effect came on the heels of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Pawan Kumar, alleging rampant neglect and mismanagement leading to the deaths of over 1200 cows within just two years.

Acting on the PIL, the High Court bench led by Chief Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua has entrusted the Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Kangra, with the crucial task of visiting the sanctuary and conducting a thorough inspection.

“The Secretary, DLSA, Kangra is directed to visit the Cow Sanctuary in question and verify the allegations leveled by the petitioner against the respondents and submit a report to this Court on the next date”, the bench recorded.

The Secretary is mandated to meticulously verify the veracity of the allegations leveled by the petitioner and submit a comprehensive report to the court by the next hearing scheduled for January 10, 2024.

Furthermore, the court registry has been directed to expeditiously provide the DLSA Secretary with all relevant documents and materials filed in the PIL, ensuring no stone is left unturned in the investigation.

This recent court directive follows a notice issued on November 10, 2023, by the High Court to the Himachal Pradesh government. The notice pertained to the demand for the closure of the Radhe Krishna Cow Sanctuary in Luthan, Kangra District. Pawan Kumar, the petitioner, had approached the court, naming key officials, including the Chief Secretary, Secretary of Animal Husbandry Department, and others, as defendants in the case.

The petitioner in his plea had contended that the state government, in January 2019, set guidelines for establishing animal sanctuaries in each district to address the issue of stray animals. Subsequently, SOPs were issued in July 2020 and April 2021, outlining the care of animals in sanctuaries and the working procedures of Gau Sadans.

However, the establishment of Radhe Krishna Cow Sanctuary at Luthan in Jwalaji, Kangra, had been marred by controversy and the allegations included the death of 1200 cows within two years due to malnutrition and disease.

In light of these allegations, the petitioner has prayed for an order to close this sanctuary in Luthan and establish it at some other suitable place.

Case Title: Pawan Kumar vs. State of H.P and others

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