Hold Kambala as per govt order: HC

The High Court on Wednesday held that Kambala could be held subject to  conditions mentioned in the notification issued by the State government on December 17, 2015.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice S K Mukherjee and Justice Ravi Malimath said  Kambala organisers have to strictly follow conditions on safety measures. The bench also allowed an impleading application filed by Kambala organisers who had sought directions to hold the event as per the notification.

People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India had moved the Court seeking to quash the notification dated December 17, 2015 issued by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries.

It had contended that the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) recorded 65 complaints of non-cognisable offence during three Kambala events held between December 2014 and January 2015. Gross cruelty towards animals was amply clear in all three events, the petitioner had contended.

The petitioner said the committee constituted by the State  had submitted a report on the basis of inspecting only one Kambala event and ignored cruel practices which were pointed out by AWBI.  The committee comprising of three doctors was not competent to arrive at a finding regarding cruelty to animals.

The petition says that despite numerous representations of the State government and letters of the AWBI, Kambala events continue to be held in the State in clear contravention of law and the orders of the Supreme Court. The bench adjourned the matter for two weeks to file amended petition.