Karnataka High Court Issues Notice On Plea Questioning RFP Issued For Microchipping Of Stray Dogs In Bengaluru

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Union of India and other respondents on a public interest litigation filed questioning the Request for Proposal (RFP) floated by Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) for procuring and implanting microchip readers in the bodies of the stray dogs in the city of Bengaluru.

A division bench of Chief Justice N V Anjaria and Justice K V Aravind issued the notice on a petition filed by Save our Animals Charitable Trust (SOACT) returnable by December 16. The bench said “Respondents shall file their replies to the petition by the next date of hearing.”

Advocate for the petitioner argued that the BBMP was not authorised to issue the RFP. Microchipping is not an activity BBMP which it is authorised to do. The tender for procuring microchips and implanting it in stray dogs. The Methodology is not permitted in Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules of 2023. It is only for pet dogs. The entire mandate is illegal.

The bench queried about the purpose of the implanting microchips in dogs, which the counsel said “It is to control stray dogs in Bengaluru.”

The bench then orally observed “To control stray dogs there should not be any objection.”

The petitioner argued that they (BBMP) have no authority to issue bids. The entire process of issuing bids is illegal. BBMP has no permission from the Animal Welfare Board of India. Nor has it consulted the Central Committee. Implanting a microchip is an invasive procedure that is not permitted by the rules.

Following this the court issued notice on the petition.

The plea seeks to quash the RFP dates 29.02.2024 and direct the Corporation to follow the animal birth control rules, 2023 while issuing tender notifications and immediately stay the pilot project of microchipping of street dogs being carried out in Bangalore. The plea also sought the court to impose a heavy cost on the corporation.

Earlier a similar petition filed by one Priyadarshaini S was dismissed for non compliance of office objections.

Case Title: SAVE OUR ANIMALS CHARITABLE TRUST (SOACT) AND Union of India & Others

Case No: WP 29002/2024

Appearance: DSGI Shanthi Bhushan H for R1.

AGA Niloufer Akbar for State.

Advocate SHASHWATH S PRAKASH for Petitioner.