KAUSTUVMANI KAKATI Vs. STATE OF ASSAM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Ms. P. Vijay T., learned counsel assisted by Ms. A. Neog, learned counsel for the petitioner. Also heard Mr. P.N. Goswami, learned Additional Advocate General, Assam assisted by Ms. S. Konwar, learned Govt. Advocate, Assam and Mr. D. Gogoi, learned Standing Counsel, Forest Department appearing for respondent Nos.1, 2 & 3 as well as Dr. Sujay Kantawala, learned counsel assisted by Mr. A. Khound, learned counsel for respondent Nos.4 and 5.

(2.) The present PIL has been filed by the petitioner who is an Advocate by profession seeking relief(s) inter-alia, for restraining the State of Assam, the Forest Department, Wildlife Division, All National Parks, all Zoos in the State of Assam and all rescue Centres in Assam from transferring any animal, whether wild or in captivity outside the State of Assam and also to rescue these animals and to cancel all agreements, if any, made by the State of Assam. To be more specific, the relief(s) thus claimed by the petitioner in this PIL are reproduced as follows,

(3.) The aforesaid relief(s) claimed by the petitioner have been sought by way of taking up, according to the petitioner, a public cause, more particularly for preserving and protecting the wildlife, premised on the ground that the State of Assam itself has several zoos and rescue centres which are capable of sheltering and taking care of the wild animals and captive wild animals in the State.