Section Of Lawyers Protest Against Delhi HC Circular Prohibiting Feeding Of Dogs In Court Premises

Various lawyers practicing in the Delhi High Court have written a letter to the Registrar General seeking modification of a circular dated February 28 directing all the Advocates, Litigants, Staff members, Police and CRPF Personnel to strictly refrain from feeding the stray animals like dogs and monkeys inside the Court complex.

Written by Advocate Gauri Puri bearing signatures of other practicing lawyers, the letter states that feeding of stray dogs is essential for the peaceful co-existence of humans and animals and that such stray dogs, if not fed, can in turn become aggressive and keep hunting for food closer to the court premises.

Importantly, after the said representation, another circular was issued by the Admin branch of the High Court yesterday(March 4) which confined the restriction to only feeding stray monkeys. The latest circular (March 4) does not mention dogs.

"All the advocates/litigants/staff/members of is Court are also requested to strictly refrain from feeding the monkeys within the Court complex" - March 4 circular. 

The March 4 circular now therefore requests advocates, staff members and litigants to strictly refrain from feeding monkeys in the court complex and also to ensure that the windows of the Court Buildings and all blocks are not left open or unattended.

Requesting that the circular dated February 28 be modified to the extent of stating that dog feeding shall be permitted at designated spots, the letter stated that a committee comprising of animal feeders, caretakers and staff of the Delhi High court maybe constituted to identify dog feeding spots.

"I shall be very happy to be a part of this committee since I understand these dogs, and am largely aware of their location within the court complex," Advocate Gauri Puri said in the letter.

Reliance has been placed on a judgment delivered by a single judge of the High Court last year which had issued a set of guidelines for feeding street dogs after holding that citizens have a right to feed street dogs. However, the order was stayed by the Supreme Court yesterday.

The letter also places reliance on the Supreme Court decision in case titled Animal welfare Board of India v. A. Nagaraja & Ors. wherein it was underscored that the animals have a right to life and the word life is to be given an expanded meaning, which includes all forms of life, including animal life, and "life" of an animal means more than mere survival or existence or instrumental value for human beings, but to lead life with some intrinsic worth, honour and dignity.

"In view of the above, it is respectfully submiued that the captioned circulars be modified and a revised circular be issued permiuing feeding of dogs at feeding spots identified in consultation with the animal feeders, caretakers and staff of the Delhi High court. I have been practicing before the Delhi High court since 2012 and along with several other compassionate colleagues, have been looking after the dogs within the Delhi High court. I undertake to assist with the identification of feeding spots, as well as the sterilization of vaccination of the dogs within the court complex," the letter added.