Aishwarya Rathore –
Published on: August 15, 2021 11:45 IST
The Delhi High Court requested the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to respond to a petition brought by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) questioning the status of animals from circuses that have closed down.
The Court directed, “AWBI to file an affidavit disclosing the status with regard to the animals that all the circuses had as per its records within the next three weeks.”
Furthermore, the Court stated that the affidavit must include information about the fate of the animals in such circuses.
The development came after Advocate Aman Hingorani appearing for PETA, submitted before the Court that the affidavit filed by AWBI in response to last year’s ruling did not expressly disclose the status of such animals.
The petition requested that a directive be issued to the Union of India, the AWBI, the Central Zoo Authority, and registered circuses prohibiting the training and exhibition of performing animals in circuses and mobile entertainment facilities.
Furthermore, the plea separately challenged the legality of Section 21-27 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to the extent that they permit the exhibition and training of animals for circuses.
The matter will be next heard on 29 November.
Click here to Read/Download the Order
Also Read: What are the Rights of the Animals?