Supreme Court Dismisses PIL To Stop Private Zoo In Gujarat From Acquiring Animals

The Supreme Court has dismissed a PIL filed against the recognition granted to Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, an upcoming private zoo, at Jamnagar, Gujarat.

A bench comprising Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and Krishna Murari dismissed the PIL filed by one Kanhaiya Kumar observing "we are unable to find any logic or basis in this petition". The order was passed on August 16.

The Court noted that the petition was filed on the basis of certain newspaper reports and the petitioner, who is not an expert in the filed, has not carried out the requisite research before invoking PIL jurisdiction.

The petitioner had argued that Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (GZRRC) should be banned from acquiring animals from any person, government department, or zoo in India and abroad. He also sought an SIT investigation into the management of the private zoo.

The Court noted that GZRRC has been given permission by the Central Zoo Authority. "The allegations of the petitioner regarding lack of expertise on the part of respondent No. 2(GZRRC) or regarding commercialisation remain uncertain and it does not appear that the petitioner has carried out the requisite research before moving this Court in PIL jurisdiction", the Court stated in the order.

When the functioning of the zoo is under the supervision of the Central Zoo Authority, the Court said that there is no scope for interference, especially when the petitioner himself has not produced any materials to doubt the legality of GZRRC.

"Taking note of the submissions made in the counter affidavit with the accompanying documents, we are satisfied that the permission granted to the respondent No. 2 and the consequential activities of the respondent No. 2 cannot be said to be illegal or unauthorised", the bench noted while dismissing the PIL.

Case Title :  Kanhaiya Kumar versus Central Zoo Authority and another

Click here to read/download the order