Delhi High Court Asks Centre To Consider As Representation Plea Against Artificial Insemination In Animals

The Delhi High Court today disposed of a PIL seeking to restrain 'Artificial Insemination' in animals and directed the Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries to consider the plea as representation.

Veterinary Council of India, Animal Welfare Board of India, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, etc. are other respondents in the matter.

The Division Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh has asked the Respondents to decide the grievances raised in accordance with law, rules, regulations, government policies applicable, as early as possible and practicable.

The PIL was filed by animal rights activist Sangeeta Dogra. She submitted that the practice of artificial insemination in animals is against their "natural behavior".

"There is no Scientific Logic presented by the respondents that animals are infertile both male and female and cannot have offspring's through natural behavior," the plea states at the outset.

Dogra further pointed out that the Respondents have added 8th and 10th pass in National Qualification Register under Skill Development, permitting them to perform artificial insemination in animals. This, the plea avers, not only affects the rights of qualified Veterinary Practitioners but is also antithetical to the Right to Life of animals.

"Veterinary Sciences is related to life of animals or body of animals which needs Animals Sciences, Pathology, Surgical, Medicine, and Breed Conservation, but this has to be by the hands of 8th and 10 pass and that through Artificial Insemination by overriding Natural Behavior of Animals is purely a promotion of quackery and cruelty against animals," the plea states.

"A medical practitioner (Educated Person) performing gynecology inspection and 10 Pass 18 Yrs. (Literate) performing the same inspection has slight difference from describing it as an offense of sexual abuse on animals...permitting non-vetro persons to manipulate uterus and male animals is straight a promotion of offenses under IPC 377," the plea adds.

It is further submitted that the move is contrary to the Supreme Court's observations in The Veterinary Practitioners Association v. Union of India, where Diploma Holders were restricted from Veterinary Practice.

"The method of Artificial Insemination if required at all in any animal wherein entire lot has become infertile altogether then also only a Veterinarian Specialized in Gynecology shall perform on any cattle male or female after performing required diagnostics," the plea contends.

It therefore seeks revised Guidelines in accordance to Section 30 (Right of persons who are enrolled on the Indian veterinary practitioners register) & 31 (Professional conduct) of the Indian Veterinary Council Act 1984 for incorporation of technical Veterinarians Graduate and Post Graduate.

Case Title: Sangeeta Dogra v. Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries