SC stays HC proceedings on PIL asking judge to return PETA award

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed proceedings before the Madras High Court's Madurai bench on a plea seeking direction to former apex court judge K.S. Radhakrishnan to return an award given to him by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

While staying the proceedings, the bench of Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar and Justice N.V.Ramana issued notice to Salai Chakrapani on whose PIL the Madurai bench of Madras High Court had issued notice to Justice (retd.) Radhakrishana.

Justice Radhakrishnan and Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose by their May 7, 2014 verdict had banned Jallikattu as the court struck down the law enacted by Tamil Nadu in 2011 to regulate the conduct of the sport.

Banning Jallikattu, bullock-cart races and such events, the court had said that per se they violate the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

Justice Radhakrishnan, who had authored the judgment, had said: "Parliament, it is expected, would elevate rights of animals to that of constitutional rights, as done by many of the countries around the world, so as to protect their dignity and honour."

"Parliament is expected to make proper amendment of the PCA Act to provide an effective deterrent to achieve the object and purpose of the Act and for violation of Section 11, adequate penalties and punishments should be imposed," the court said in its judgment.

It was contended by the PIL petitioner that the "Man of the Year" award was given to Justice Radhakrishna by PETA who was one of the petitioner before the court in the case on which the 2014 judgment had come.

--IANS

pk/vd