Karnataka High Court Takes Suo Motu Case On Gruesome Massacre Of Monkeys

The Karnataka High Court on Friday took suo-motu cognizance of media reports regarding the incident of unidentified persons allegedly poisoning a group of Bonnet Macaques (monkeys), and killing over 38 of them. The carcasses were found at a road junction at Chowdenahalli in Arehali Hobli of Belur taluk in Karnataka's Hassan district on Wednesday.

A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice N S Sanjay Gowda said "We direct the Registrar General (Judicial) to file a petition seeking action against those responsible for massacre of monkeys. It is also necessary to lay down guidelines to ensure that such inhuman and shocking incidents are avoided." The petition will be taken up for hearing on Tuesday (August 3).

The State of Karnataka through Principal Secretary of Forest department, Deputy Chief Conservator of Forest, Hassan district, Deputy Collector of Hassan District,Superintendent of Police and Animal Welfare Board, shall be the respondents in the petition.

Advocate Sreenidhi V took notice for the state government. The court said "It will be appropriate if he communicates to the Deputy Collector of Hassan District, to submit a report on the entire incident and action taken so far. Report can be placed before the court on the next date of hearing."

The court referred to the judgement of the Supreme Court in the case of Animal Welfare Board of India v. A Nagaraja And Ors reported in (2014) 7 SCC 547, in which the court recognized freedom for animals. Section 3 and Section 11 of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals read with Article 51- A(g) and (h) of the Constitution of India, which guarantees the right to live in a healthy and clean atmosphere and right to get protection from human beings against inflicting unnecessary pain or suffering."

According to reports the miscreants first allegedly poisoned over 50 monkeys, stuffed them into gunny bags and beat them mercilessly and then threw the gunny bags near the Chowdenahalli village.

Recently, the Kerala High Court had taken suo moto cognizance of the cruel killing of a dog in the state. In memory of the dog which succumbed to the human cruelty, the Kerala High Court named the suo moto case "In Re Bruno".

Click here to read/download the order