[Lumpy Skin Disease] Delhi High Court Asks Centre, Police To Respond To PIL Seeking Better Treatment Of Cows

The Delhi High Court on Friday sought a response from the Centre and Delhi Police in a public interest litigation seeking remedial steps for treatment of lumpy skin disease in cows in the national capital.

A division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad was hearing a plea moved by Ajay Gautam, who argued that there is no proper set up to treat the cows that are dying due to the infectious disease.

During the course of hearing today, Gautam, who was appearing in person, told the court that the helpline numbers mentioned in the response filed by Delhi Government for dealing with the complaints regarding contagious virus infection in cows were not fully functional.

Furthermore, Gautam also submitted that cows have an important role in Hindu religion. He added that no Hindu religious ceremony is complete without the presence of cows. 

Gautam also argued that cow is a vulnerable animal as they are sometimes subjected to cruelty in the name of religion and hatred.

On the other hand, the counsel appearing for Delhi Government assured the court that additional helpline numbers will be made functional and operators will be kept available to deal with the complaints regarding cases of lumpy skin disease in cows.

The counsel also assured that steps will be taken for increasing the number of ambulances for treatment of the infected cows. The court was also assured that the government has identified land and efforts are being taken for ensuring dignified burial of the cows.

Highlighting that the skin disease has killed nearly 70,000 cattle in the country, the numbers of which are increasing everyday, the plea states:

"Symptoms include skin nodules of about two to five centimetres, high fever, reduced milk production, loss of appetite, and watery eyes. The Centre recently said about 70,000 cattle have died so far due to the disease which has spread to Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh."

It adds: "That Cow and Gau Vansh is prayed and is revered as a holy and sacred animal by the largest Community of this country and Cows have religious importance. Hindu treat Cows as their Mother."

The plea thus seeks constitution of a team of Veterinary doctors, on an immediate basis, in every zone of the national capital to deal with the disease in cows.

A direction has also been sought for setting up Lump Care Units or Isolation Wards in all the zones and districts for medical treatment of infected cows.

The plea also seeks that an antidote and vaccines be arranged for stopping further spread of the disease.

Title: Ajay Gautam v. GNCTD & Anr.