Allahabad HC directs removal of stray cattle and dogs from city precincts

The Allahabad High Court on August 28 directed the removal of stray cattle and stray dogs from Allahabad city.

A direction to this effect was issued to Nagar Nigam, Prayagraj by the Court.

A division bench of Justices Siddhartha Varma and Ajit Kumar said that stray cattle were a major cause for accidents while rabies was rampant among stray dogs in the city.

"In this time of pandemic when people are worried about their safety stray cattle and stray dogs must compulsorily be removed to avoid any nuisance", the bench said.

The court was hearing a batch of application pertaining to strict enforcement of guidelines to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

Prominent animal rights activist Gauri Maulekhi took to Twitter to express her displeasure at the Court's directive. She said, "The Hon'ble High Court seems to have been mistaken or insufficiently apprised of the laws related to street animals and directions of the Hon'ble SC".

While hearing a letter petition filed by one Sunil Choudhary, the HC also ordered the District Magistrate Kanpur to make an inquiry into the allegations that the dead body of a person who had died of COVID-19 virus was not being handed over to his relatives because the hospital was demanding Rs. 14.50 Lacs even though they had already been paid Rs. 11 lacs.

On the issue of enforcing COVID-19 regulations i.e. wearing of masks and social distancing norms, the court directed the District Magistrate, Prayagraj to look into the feasibility of involving Corporators and the various other organizations who might be ready to render their services in enforcing the COVID-19 guidelines.

It directed that on the next date fixed i.e. on August 31, the District Magistrate produce before the Court the manner in which he would direct the Corporators in actively seeing that people wear masks and maintain social distancing.

The court would also see to the viability of implementing this modus operandi of including the Corporators in other cities as well.

Photo courtesy: The Financial Express

Read the Order

http://theleaflet.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Allahabad-High-Court-Order_28_08_2020.pdf