Karnataka HC Takes Suo Motu Case On Gruesome Massacre Of Monkeys

BACKGROUND

• Several newspapers such as the Deccan Herald, Indian Express, Times of India, Prajavani, etc. reported the killing of several monkeys in Karnataka.
• The incident took place in Belur Taluk of Hassan District of Karnataka, where on Wednesday 28 July unidentified persons poisoned a group of Bonnet Macaques (monkeys) killing 38 of them.
• Preliminary investigation suggested that these monkeys were poisoned and put in gunny bags and were beaten up and left on the roadside.
• The Bench of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice N S Sanjay Gowda took note of the incident and ordered the registrar general to file a suomotu PIL.

OBSERVATION MADE BY THE COURT

• The Bench referred to the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case of Animal Welfare Board of India vs. A. Nagaraja and Others and noted that the said judgment recognized the limited right of life to the animals.
• The Court mentioned that such an incident is the violation of Sections 3 and 11 of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals read with provisions of the Constitution that give animals the right to live in a healthy and clean atmosphere and protection from inflicting unnecessary pain or suffering by human beings.

ORDER

• The Court directed the Registrar General to file a writ petition seeking action for those responsible for the incident.
• The State of Karnataka, the Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests of Hassan District, the Deputy Collector of Hassan District, the Superintendent of Police, and the Animal Welfare Board of India were made respondents.
• The petition will be heard on 4th August 2021 by the same Bench.

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