Take Steps To Appoint Veterinary Doctors To Attend Animals Within 3 Weeks: Kerala High Court Directs Lakshadweep Admin In Contempt Case

The Kerala High Court has directed the Lakshadweep Administration to immediately take steps for appointing veterinary doctors to attend to the health care of animals, and birds, within three weeks.

The Division Bench comprising Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque and Justice Sophy Thomas directed such doctors to be appointed either on contract or on permanent basis.

It further directed the Secretary of Department of Fisheries, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry of Lakshadweep, Shashank Mani Tripathi, to appear before it in person if no action in that regard is taken within the stipulated time. 

The interim order was passed on a contempt of court case filed by retired assistant veterinary surgeon C P Abdul Kabeer. 

The Court had, on March 30, 2023, passed an order directing that interim arrangements ought to be made available for veterinary surgeons. When the matter was considered by the Court on Tuesday (June 27, 2023), Advocate K.M. Firoz appearing on behalf of the petitioner informed the Court that no such steps had been taken by the Lakshadweep Administration. 

The Standing Counsel however averred that steps were being taken. 

It is in these circumstances that the Court issued the interim order. The matter has been posted for further consideration on July 18, 2023. 

Case Title: Dr. C.P. Abdul Kabeer v. Shashank Mani Tripathi IAS & Ors. 

Click Here To Read/Download The Order