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- The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Central government on a petition which has challenged the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Rules,2017.The rules were framed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,1960.
- The petitioner has said that the rules notified in 2017 are being used as a tool to seize and forfeit their cattle.
- The 2017 rules allow a magistrate to forfeit the cattle of an owner facing trial under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.The animals are then sent to infirmaries,gaushalas.
- The authorities can further give such animals for adoption.In short,a farmer or a traders loses his cattle even before he is adjudged guilty of cruelty under the 1960 Act.
- The petitioner has said that that the 2017 rules have travelled beyond the boundaries of the 1960 Act.
- Under Section 29 of the 1960 Act,private cattle can be forfeited only after the owner is convicted and had faced a previous conviction. The other situations include the probability of further cruelty from the owner if the cattle is left with him.
- Besides,Section 38A of the PCA Act required any rule made under the 1960 Act to be laid before the Parliament.This has not been done with the 2017 Rules.
