Delhi High Court Ensures Safety for Animal Activist Amid Dairy Colony Relocation Case

Delhi High Court Ensures Safety for Animal Activist 

Amid Dairy Colony Relocation Case


In a significant move, the Delhi High Court has ordered the Delhi Police to provide protection to animal rights activist Sunayana Sibal, who played a crucial role in the court's decision to relocate dairies from Bhalswa to Ghogha. This decision was prompted by threats made against Sibal after she successfully petitioned the court, highlighting severe violations in the treatment of animals within these dairy colonies.


Police Protection for Sunayana Sibal


On August 23, 2024, the bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to conduct a thorough threat perception analysis for Sibal by August 27. This directive came after Sibal reported an attempted threat by two unidentified individuals from Madanpur Khadar, who visited her home in her absence.


The court expressed grave concern over these threats, emphasizing that any intimidation against Sibal would not be tolerated. The local Station House Officer (SHO) was also instructed to ensure Sibal’s safety.


Relocation of Dairy Colonies


Recently, the Delhi High Court ordered the immediate relocation of all dairies from Bhalswa to Ghogha Dairy Colony. The court criticized the illegal conversion of dairy plots for commercial and residential use without legal sanction. It noted that the statutory authorities, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD), had failed to prevent cattle from feeding on garbage from nearby sanitary landfills, thereby posing a significant public health risk.


The court highlighted that an estimated 30 acres of land are required for relocating the Bhalswa Dairy Colony, whereas 83 acres of unutilized land are available at Ghogha Dairy Colony. The court ordered that officers from MCD, DUSIB, and GNCTD be held personally responsible for ensuring compliance with its directives and mandated them to file action-taken reports.


Health and Safety in Dairy Colonies


In previous orders, the Delhi High Court issued several directives to improve hygiene and medical care within dairy colonies. The court emphasized the need for fully functional veterinary hospitals near all designated dairies and the installation of biogas plants for creating dry manure and biogas fuel before the onset of the monsoon.


The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Department of Food Safety, GNCTD, were also instructed to intensify random sampling of milk and milk products for chemicals, particularly in dairy units and regions where milk is supplied. The court urged immediate action in case of any violations.


Urgent Need for Dairy Relocation


The court has long recognized the urgent need to rehabilitate and relocate dairies like those in Ghazipur and Bhalswa, which are situated dangerously close to sanitary landfill sites. These dairies should be moved to areas with proper sewage, drainage, biogas plants, ample open space for cattle movement, and adequate grazing areas.


Grim Reality of Animal Cruelty


The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) leading to these directives was brought by Sunayana Sibal, Dr. Asher Jessudoss, and Akshita Kukreja, alumni of the Ahimsa Fellowship. The petitioners exposed severe animal cruelty within the dairy colonies, including the use of extremely short tethers, overcrowded conditions, untreated injuries, and the administration of nontherapeutic antibiotics. The petition also highlighted the widespread use of Oxytocin, a hormone that induces painful contractions in buffaloes to increase milk production—a practice deemed as animal cruelty under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.


The petition further pointed to the poor waste disposal practices within these colonies, leading to severe environmental pollution, public nuisance, and grave public health risks due to the flouting of food safety norms.


Conclusion


The Delhi High Court's intervention underscores the pressing need for stringent enforcement of laws and regulations in dairy colonies to protect both animal welfare and public health. As these cases unfold, the protection of activists like Sunayana Sibal remains crucial in ensuring that justice is served and that such gross violations are addressed effectively.

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