Karnataka high court clears missing dogs probe, but protects DRDO officials
Bengaluru: Karnataka high court Tuesday allowed police to continue investigating the disappearance of 21 stray dogs from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) campus in Bengaluru in March this year.At the same time, the court directed that no harassment or coercive action be taken
By The Times of India
Bengaluru: Karnataka high court Tuesday allowed police to continue investigating the disappearance of 21 stray dogs from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) campus in Bengaluru in March this year.At the same time, the court directed that no harassment or coercive action be taken against two DRDO officials — estate officer Rajesh Kumar Sahu and cleaning supervisor TG Sudhakar — named in an FIR registered by Mahadevapura police.
The FIR was filed based on a complaint by Bengaluru East City Corporation (BECC), invoking provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.Appearing for the DRDO officials, additional solicitor general Aravind Kamath argued that the offences invoked in the FIR, including furnishing false information, mischief by killing or maiming an animal, and public nuisance and criminal conspiracy, could not be connected to the petitioners.
He described the allegations as “preposterous”.Opposing the plea, advocate Vasihali Hegde, appearing for BECC, argued that access to the DRDO campus is tightly controlled and no one can enter without permission.
She submitted that the circumstances under which the dogs disappeared and their current whereabouts required a thorough investigation.The state public prosecutor also contended that an investigation was necessary to determine what happened to the 21 dogs that were last seen inside the DRDO campus and have since gone missing.After hearing all parties, Justice M Nagaprasanna observed that the investigation should be permitted to continue in respect of the offences that genuinely warranted a probe. “The petitioners, who are estate officers of DRDO, shall not be harassed nor coercive steps taken against them on whatsoever ground.
But, they will cooperate with the investigation in helping the prosecution arrive at the truth,” the judge said.The court also directed police to complete the investigation within six weeks.
It further said the investigation report, or chargesheet, should be placed before the high court before it is filed before the jurisdictional court.The matter has been posted for further hearing on Aug 11.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bengaluru | Silver Rate in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Petrol Price in Bengaluru | Diesel Price in Bengaluru | CNG Price in Bengaluru | LPG Price in BengaluruStay updated with the latest Bengaluru news.
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