PEOPLE FOR ANIMALS Vs. NEIZEVOLIE KUOTSU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Ms. Pinky Anand, learned Senior Counsel, assisted by Ms. Saudamini Sharma, learned counsel; Mr. Samrat Pasriccha, learned counsel; Ms. Esha Dutta, learned counsel; Mr. Siddharth Pandey, learned counsel; Ms. Shaalini Agarwal, learned counsel; Mr. Pfosekho Pfotte, learned counsel; Mr. Medo Vero, learned counsel; Ms. Chanya Jaitly, learned counsel; and Mr. Chubanu-ngkum, learned counsel for the appellant No. 1 in WA No. 7/2023 and respondent No. 9 in WA No. 12/2024.

(2.) Also heard Ms. Shreya Paropkari, learned counsel for the appellant No. 2 in WA No. 7/2023 and respondent No. 10 in WA No. 12/2024; Mr. Manish Singhvi, learned Senior Counsel, assisted by Ms. Siddh Vidya, learned counsel for the appellant in WA No. 12/2024; Mr. L. Iralu, learned counsel for the respondent Nos. 1, 2, and 3 in WA No. 7/2023; Mr. Alezo Kire, learned counsel for the respondent Nos. 1, 2, and 3 in WA No. 12/2024; Ms. V. Suokhrie, learned Addl. Advocate General, for the respondent Nos. 4 and 5; and Ms. Catherine Anichar, learned counsel for the respondent No. 6.

(3.) These two writ appeals, WA No. 7/2023 and WA No. 12/2024, have been filed assailing the judgment and order dtd. 2/6/2023 passed by the learned Single Judge, whereby the notification dtd. 4/7/2020 issued by the Chief Secretary, Government of Nagaland (respondent No.4) imposing a ban on the commercial import and trading of dogs, dog markets, as well as the commercial sale of dog meat in markets and dine-in restaurants was quashed. Since the challenge in both the appeals are to the same judgment and involve identical questions of law and fact, they are taken up together and disposed of by this common judgment.