Foetus, animals in jars; school owner held

A six-month-old female foetus, along with specimens of several endangered species like sting-ray fish, turtles and russel viper snake were found from the biology laboratory of a school in South East Delhi’s Sangam Vihar on Thursday. The animal bodies and the foetus were found preserved in jars.

Police have arrested the owner of Tinu Public School, and are talking to the principal to find out more.

“Three years ago, the Human Resource Ministry had banned the use of animals for the purpose of dissection in schools. Some schools are still doing it, which is illegal. Police should take strict action against the culprits,’’ said, Maneka Gandhi, Minister for Women and Child Development.

On Thursday, after getting information that dissection of some endangered species was being performed in the laboratory of Tinu Public School, representatives of People for Animals (PFA), an NGO working in the field of animal welfare, along with police reached the school and conducted a search at the biology laboratory.

“When we entered the building in the afternoon, the laboratory had already been cleared of all specimens. After a search, we came across a hidden door at a corner of the laboratory. It led to a small room where the animal bodies had been preserved in jars,’’ said Sourav Gupta, representative, PFA.

“There was an almirah in the room. I opened it and was shocked to find a jar with a human foetus floating in chemical,’’ he said.  The police took the jars and arrested the principal and the school owner.

According to PFA sources, all endangered animal bodies have been sent to the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun by the police.

Storing dead or live endangered species can attract a jail term of three to seven years. And possessing a human foetus can put the culprit behind the bars for up to 10 years, said representatives of PFA.

A case against the school administration under section 9, 39, 44, 50, 51 of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 has been registered in the Sangam Vihar Police station.

Police are investigating whether the school had taken permission to store the bodies of the animals.

The human foetus has been sent to a hospital laboratory for investigation. After getting the report, additional sections of IPC can be invoked against the culprits.