Full Judgment
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
DATED THIS THE 24TH DAY OF JUNE, 2026 PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE K.S. HEMALEKHA WRIT PETITION NO. 16889 OF 2026 (GM-FOR-PIL) BETWEEN:
1. BHUVAN M
S/O MANMOHAN M AGED ABOUT 24 YEARS PRESENTLY RESIDING AT PET 349, PETER TAYLOR HOUSE EAST ROAD, CAMBRIDGE UNITED KINGDOM - CB1 1PT REPRESENTED BY GENERAL POWER OF ATTORNEY
(GPA) HOLDER AND MOTHER Digitally signed by SMT. PUSHPALATHA B VEERENDRA W/O MANMOHAN M KUMAR K M AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS Location: High Court R/AT #1-N-33-2960/2 of Karnataka ANUGRAHA ASHOKNAGARA BOLOOR VILLAGE MANGALURU, DAKSHINA KANNADA - 575 006 …PETITIONER (BY SRI ASHWIN JOYSTON KUTINHA, ADVOCATE) -2- AND:
1. UNION OF INDIA PRINCIPAL SECRETARY MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA INDIRA PARYAVARAN BHAWAN JORBAGH ROAD NEW DELHI - 110 003
2. THE CENTRAL ZOO AUTHORITY MEMBER SECRETARY B-1 WING, 6TH FLOOR PT. DEENDAYAL ANTYODAYA BHAWAN CGO COMPLEX, LODHI ROAD NEW DELHI - 110 003
3. DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND VETERINARY SERVICES PRINCIPAL SECRETARY VIDHANA SOUDHA DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR VEEDHI BANGALORE - 560 001
4. ZOO AUTHORITY OF KARNATAKA MEMBER SECRETARY OFFICE OF THE MEMBER SECRETARY SRI CHAMARAJENDRA ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN PREMISES INDIRA NAGAR, MYSURU KARNATAKA - 570 010 -3-
5. THE CHIEF WILDLIFE WARDEN DEPARTMENT OF FORESTS ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT ARANYA BHAWAN 2ND FLOOR, 18TH CROSS MALLESHWARAM, BENGALURU - 560 003 …RESPONDENTS (BY MS. RESHMA K.T., CGC FOR R-1 TO 4 & MS. NILOUFER AKBAR, AGA FOR R-5) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 226 AND 227
OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT IN THE NATURE OF MANDAMUS OR ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE WRIT, ORDER OR DIRECTION DIRECTING THE RESPONDENT NO.2 TO DULY CONSIDER THE REPRESENTATION DATED 06.05.2026 SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONER, AND TO TAKE AN APPROPRIATE DECISION THEREON IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW WITHIN A TIMEBOUND PERIOD & ETC. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMIANRY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU, CHIEF JUSTICE and
HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE K.S. HEMALEKHA
ORAL ORDER
(PER: HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU, CHIEF JUSTICE)
1. The petitioner has filed the present petition as a public
interest litigation, inter alia, praying that the directions be issued to respondent No.2 (Central Zoo Authority) to consider his representation dated 06.05.2026 and take an appropriate decision. The petitioner also prays that directions be issued for implementing comprehensive safety protocols, risk assessment mechanisms and -4- standard operating procedures [SOPs] for entry of zoo staff, veterinarians, zookeepers and other personnel into animal enclosures.
2. The petitioner has referred to various Incidents where the
zoo staff, veterinarians and other persons have been mauled and suffered fatal injuries as a result of their entering animal enclosures in course of their duties. Most of the incidents as reported in newspaper reports annexed to the present petition indicate that the zoo staff or veterinary professionals had entered animal enclosures without taking any safety measures.
3. The petitioner states that he had sought information under
the Right to Information Act, 2005 regarding any SOPs, safety protocols or guidelines for ensuring safety of zoo staff, veterinarians and other personnel. According to the petitioner, the response furnished by the Central Public Information Officer is that there are no SOPs, safety protocols or related documents setting out the safety protocols which are presently available. It is therefore stated that it would be necessary for the zoo authorities to formulate comprehensive SOPs to ensure safety of all personnel who are employed or visit the zoos. -5-
4. The learned CGC appearing for the Central Zoo Authority
submits that the Central Zoo Authority has already initiated steps in this regard. It is pointed out that consequent upon the unfortunate incident at Shimoga Zoo, in which a veterinary doctor lost her life following an attack by a hippopotamus, an expert committee has been constituted for the purpose of developing SOPs relating to safety protocols, veterinary practices and addressing systemic gaps in zoo management. In support of her submission, she has handed over an Office Order dated 05.05.2026 setting out the constitution of the expert committee and terms of reference. The terms of reference of the committee are set out below: - " The Terms of Reference (ToR) of the Committee shall be as under:
a. Examine the representation in detail, including issues
relating to the circumstances leading to the incident. b. Review existing protocols/guidelines of CZA and other relevant authorities concerning: Veterinary practices in zoos, Handling and management of dangerous animals, Safety measures for zoo personnel c. Identify gaps and deficiencies in: Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs), Safety protocols and emergency response systems Deployment, supervision, and training of veterinary personnel. d. Recommend comprehensive SoPs for zoo veterinarians and animal handlers, including: Handling, restraint, and treatment of animals (species-specific where necessary), Protocols for high-risk and night-time operations & Emergency response mechanisms. -6-
e. Suggest minimum standards for safety infrastructure, equipment, and staffing during veterinary interventions. f. Recommend training and capacity-building measures for veterinarians and zoo staff. g. Advise on accountability and monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance with prescribed protocols. h. Examine best practices (national and international) and suggest their adaptation in the Indian context. i. Submit a detailed report with SOP and actionable recommendations to CZA. J. TA/DA, if any, for non-official members shall be regulated as per extant Government of India norms."
5. Since the respondents have already taken steps for formulating the SOPs and risk management protocols, we do not think it apposite to issue any further directions in this regard.
6. The writ petition is, accordingly, disposed of. Sd/- (VIBHU BAKHRU) CHIEF JUSTICE Sd/- (K.S. HEMALEKHA) JUDGE KMV/List No.: 2 Sl No.: 10