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Time of India
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Bring elephants back to Bengal: HC to forest dept
Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court has ordered Bengal's chief conservator of forests to take all necessary steps to expeditiously bring back three elephants that formerly belonged to Natraj Circus but were sent to Bihar illegally. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The court further directed the state to take effective measures at the border to ensure that no elephants are illegally transported in the future. The HC division bench issued the directives on Monday in a PIL filed by animal rights organisation Cape Foundation against the transportation of the elephants — Bhola, Suman, and Basanti — to different states. While a coordinate bench on July 19, 2019 asked Bengal's chief wildlife warden to also speak to his counterparts in Bihar and other states to ensure the repatriation of the elephants, non-compliance with the order led to the issue of a contempt order on Sept 7, 2022. After the mahant of an ashram in Bihar's Gopalganj, who claimed to be the lawful owner of the elephants by virtue of a gift deed dated Oct 12, 2017, approached the Supreme Court and complained that he was not heard, the apex court set aside the earlier orders and directed the HC to hear him. The Cape Foundation counsel argued that the elephants were illegally transported from Bengal to the ashram despite the cancellation of the ownership certificate and suspension of the registration certificate of Natraj Circus. "After the cancellation of the ownership certificate in 2018, the elephants automatically vested with the state. Also, no prior permission was obtained from the chief wildlife warden for the transportation of any elephant from Bengal. The respondent (mahant) also failed to establish any lawful right," the counsel said. Inspections showed the elephants were kept in poor conditions, chained with spiked shackles for most of the day. Reports also stated that they were being commercially exploited and used in political rallies. The division bench of Justice Arindam Mukherjee and Justice Ravi Krishan Kapur stated the state could realise the cost of transportation from the ashram.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Time of India
Horse owner fined for cruelty and negligence
Kolkata: The owner of a horse used for joyrides in the Maidan, who pleaded guilty to negligent conduct and cruelty towards the animal before a judicial magistrate, was let off with a fine of Rs 500 due to his economic distress. An FIR in the case had been filed by animal rights organisation Cape Foundation. The sections — 291/62/3(5) of BNS and 3/11(1)(a)(h) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 — under which the accused, Sk Alamgir was charged are punishable with imprisonment or a fine or both. However, after Alamgir filed a petition pleading guilty, the advocate representing him submitted a request to consider the amount of fine imposed, given his economic distress. Taking the plea into consideration, the magistrate fined Alamgir Rs 500. In 2024, at least eight horses were reported dead in Kolkata due to similar abuse and neglect, according to Peta India and the CAPE Foundation. The Calcutta HC had directed the state to develop a proposal for rehabilitating horse owners and providing them with an alternative livelihood. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Time of India
FIR after abandoned mare dies of injuries
Kolkata: Animal rights organisation Peta India filed an FIR at Maidan police station after the death of a mare found abandoned and recumbent at Brigade Parade ground on emaciated horse, suffering from dehydration, was unable to stand or move her hind limbs, and was determined by a veterinarian to have a spinal injury, seemingly caused by being hit on the back with a blunt object. Despite emergency treatment, the mare died. The incident occurred just days after an FIR was registered at Bhowanipore PS following a disturbing video on social media showing one of two horses hitched to a carriage collapsing on the road. The FIR was registered under sections of BNS and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960."This young mare died in agony because she was abused and left to die when she was most in need of care," says Peta India representative Chumki Dutta. "Horses continue to collapse, suffer severe injuries, and die in the heart of Kolkata for tourist rides. It's time for authorities to end th-is abusive practice and tra-nsition to electric vehicles."In 2024, at least eight horses were reported dead in Kolkata due to similar abuse and neglect, according to data gathered by Peta India and the Cape Foundation. Calcutta High Court had directed the state to develop a proposal for rehabilitating horse owners and providing them with an alternative livelihood to hauling tourists in carriages so that "dispensing with the horse-drawn carriages as done in Mumbai can be considered and examined for its feasibility." Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
