On Thursday, the Delhi High Court instructed the Delhi Police to probe the types of pets owned by residents in the Dhobi Ghat area of Tughlaq Lane. This directive comes after a one-and-a-half-year-old girl was purportedly fatally attacked by a group of dogs in the locality last month.
Today (March 14) in a heart-wrenching incident that has sparked widespread concern and sorrow, a young child’s life was tragically cut short last month in the Dhobi Ghat area of Tughlaq Lane, New Delhi, following an attack by a pack of stray dogs. The Delhi High Court, responding to the gravity of the situation, has issued a directive to the Delhi Police to conduct a thorough investigation into the “nature” of pets kept by residents in the vicinity of the tragic event.
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Justice Subramonium Prasad mandated,
“Police are directed to investigate regarding the nature of pets that are kept in the area. It is also stated that there was a pitbull in the area. Investigate this. Status report be filed by Tuesday.”
This directive comes in the wake of a petition filed by the grieving father of the one-and-a-half-year-old victim, who is seeking Rs 50 lakh in compensation for the irreplaceable loss of his child. The investigation aims to shed light on the circumstances leading to the attack and to determine whether the nature and behavior of pets in the area contributed to the unfortunate incident.
The case has raised significant concerns regarding public safety and the responsibilities of pet owners and local authorities. Justice Prasad expressed his concerns, stating,
“What is troubling me is that if you look at our houses, all of us normally have guards in front of our house, not in the back. If a child was attacked, the question is in day time it did not attract anybody’s attention. This is a factor which is in my mind.”
This statement reflects the broader issues of community safety and the need for vigilance to prevent such tragic incidents from occurring in the future.
The plea, articulated through Advocate Rajat Bhardwaj, underscores the legal and moral obligations of the state:
“It is the duty of the State to save and protect the lives of the people as per Article 21 of the Constitution. Such negligent and administrative lapse on the part of the NDMC has violated the fundamental rights of the deceased child and the petitioner, enshrined under Article 21 (right to life and personal liberty) of the Constitution.”
This highlights the gravity of the situation and the imperative for governmental bodies to uphold the safety and rights of their citizens.
The tragic incident and the subsequent legal proceedings have ignited a critical dialogue about urban safety, animal control, and the responsibilities of pet owners and local authorities in ensuring the safety of community members. As the Delhi Police undertake their investigation, the community awaits answers and actions that will prevent such heartbreaking incidents from occurring in the future.
The Delhi High Court’s intervention in this matter is a significant step towards addressing the complex challenges of urban animal management and ensuring that the tragic death of the young child leads to meaningful change and increased safety measures in residential areas. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how similar incidents are handled in the future, potentially leading to stronger regulations and a safer environment for all residents.
