The Delhi High Court has constituted a new three-member team to inspect a preclinical drug testing facility where allegations of abuse and neglect of animals—especially beagle dogs—were made by PETA. The petition alleges that the facility mistreats animals while carrying out experiments, and that a Multi-Disciplinary Expert Committee earlier constituted by the Committee for Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CCSEA) had corroborated the allegations. A later inspection, however, by a different committee appointed by the Court produced different findings, with questions raised about conflict of interest of the local commissioner who had initially been appointed (though he did not ultimately participate in that inspection).
Because of these conflicting reports and the allegations relating to possible bias, the Court directed that a freshly constituted team conduct the inspection. The team will comprise a Member of CCSEA, a Principal Scientist from the Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, and a Local Commissioner. The Court’s order requires that once the inspection is complete, a report be furnished both to PETA and CCSEA.
PETA’s prayer in the petition includes revocation of all licenses and registrations granted to the facility and relocation/rehabilitation of the animals housed therein. The Court has ordered that based on the inspection report, CCSEA must take cognizance of any deficiencies and take appropriate legal steps. It has also directed the facility to implement immediately any rectificatory measures that the inspection report or directions issued by CCSEA may warrant.
Through this order, the High Court has effectively closed the plea while keeping the path open for corrective action: the facility must act on the report’s findings, regulatory oversight must follow, and any animal welfare violations identified shall invite enforcement by CCSEA.
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