Delhi High Court Orders Protection for Animal Rights Activist Sunayana Sibal
New Delhi, India – The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Police to assign a beat officer to the residence of animal rights activist Sunayana Sibal. This decision follows Sibal’s petition that led to the court ordering the relocation of dairies from Bhalswa to Ghogha.
Threat Perception Analysis
On August 23, the Delhi High Court bench, including Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, instructed the Delhi Police Commissioner to conduct a threat perception analysis for Sunayana Sibal by August 27. This follows Sibal’s report of an attempted threat by two unidentified individuals from Madanpur Khadar who visited her home when she was not present.
The court expressed serious concern about the threats and instructed the local SHO to ensure Sibal’s safety. The bench also warned that any threats against Sibal would not be tolerated.
Relocation of Dairies
Recently, the Delhi High Court directed all statutory authorities, including MCD, DUSIB, GNCTD, and MoHUA, to take immediate steps to shift all dairies from Bhalswa to Ghogha Dairy Colony. The court noted that dairy plot allottees in these colonies have illegally converted the use of these plots into commercial and residential uses without any legal sanction.
The court highlighted the inability of statutory authorities to prevent milch cattle from feeding on garbage from sanitary landfills near Bhalswa and Ghazipur. The court found merit in the submission that 30 acres of land are required for shifting the Bhalswa Dairy Colony, and 83 acres of unutilized land are available in Ghogha Dairy Colony.
Compliance and Future Directions
In an order passed on July 19, 2024, the court stated that officers of MCD, DUSIB, and GNCTD would be personally responsible for compliance with the directions and must file action taken reports. The court also issued several directions to maintain hygiene in dairy colonies, ensure medical care for cattle, and prevent the use of spurious oxytocin.
The court directed the Chief Secretary of Delhi to file a detailed affidavit indicating the roadmap for the future of the nine dairy colonies. Veterinary hospitals should be made functional near all designated dairies, and biogas plants should be installed for creating dry manure and biogas fuel.
The FSSAI and the Department of Food Safety, GNCTD, were instructed to ramp up testing and conduct random sample checks of milk for chemicals in all nine designated dairies and take appropriate action in case of violations.
Animal Cruelty and Public Health Concerns
The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation moved by Sunayana Sibal, Dr. Asher Jessudoss, and Akshita Kukreja, alumni of the Ahimsa Fellowship. The petitioners highlighted severe animal cruelty, including tethering with short ropes, overcrowding, and untreated injuries. They also pointed out environmental pollution and public health risks due to poor waste disposal practices and violations of food safety norms.
Doubts Revealed
Delhi High Court -: The Delhi High Court is a big court in Delhi, India, where important legal decisions are made.
Animal Rights Activist -: An animal rights activist is a person who works to protect animals and make sure they are treated well.
Sunayana Sibal -: Sunayana Sibal is a person who works to protect animals and has been threatened, so the court wants to keep her safe.
Delhi Police -: The Delhi Police are the people who help keep everyone safe in Delhi, like the police officers you see on the streets.
Beat Officer -: A beat officer is a police officer who is assigned to a specific area to keep it safe and help people there.
Dairies -: Dairies are places where cows are kept for their milk.
Bhalswa -: Bhalswa is a place in Delhi where some dairies are located.
Ghogha -: Ghogha is another place in Delhi where the dairies are being moved to.
Illegal Land Use -: Illegal land use means using land in a way that is not allowed by the law.
Waste Management -: Waste management is how we take care of garbage and other waste to keep our environment clean.
Statutory Authorities -: Statutory authorities are official groups that have the power to make sure laws are followed.
Compliance -: Compliance means following the rules or laws.
Animal Cruelty -: Animal cruelty means hurting animals or not taking care of them properly.
Public Health -: Public health is about keeping everyone in the community healthy and safe from diseases.
Veterinary Care -: Veterinary care is medical care for animals, like when you take your pet to the vet.
Food Safety Measures -: Food safety measures are rules to make sure the food we eat is clean and safe.