RAJKUMAR BAISHYA Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petition has been filed in purported public interest with accusation of illegalities and irregularities in the administration, medical care and treatment of animals in Assam State Zoo and Botanical Garden. Wild and very serious allegations have been made in the petition.

(2.) Be that as it may, Shri Mazumdar, learned Senior Standing Counsel appearing for the Forest Department has pointed out that this petition has been actuated on account of malafide reasons in so much as Smti Pranami Hazarika was given a contract for running a battery operated vehicle in the zoo on payment of a licence fee of Rs.1,00,200/- per month with effect from March, 2017 for a period of two years, to be paid to the authorities. A sum of more than Rs.9 lakhs became due in regard to which a notice for recovery was issued on 20th December, 2017.

(3.) Faced with such facts, learned counsel for the petitioners contends that let this public interest litigation be dismissed.