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Taking into account countless pet shops operating illegally in Maharashtra, the Bombay High Court today directed the state government to provide details about how many shops actually had valid permits.

A division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice G S Kulkarni was hearing a public interest litigation filed by one Shivraj Patne that sought action against illegal pet shops.

Patne's counsel Sanjukta Dey during the course of the hearing stated that despite the High Court's order in 2019 which directed immediate closure of illegal pet shops, countless establishments continued to operate without necessary permissions.

“It is illegal to sell exotic birds and other species protected under the Wildlife Protection Act. Unless such shop owners or breeders obtain the certificate from the Board and requisite licences, they should be barred from carrying out such business,” stated the plea.

The counsel further contended that she herself had visited illegal pet shops in Crawford Market and Kurla areas of the city.

"These shops are selling prohibited species of exotic birds and puppies," stated Dey

The counsel asserted that despite provisions contained in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, most pet shops running in the state have not applied for licenses to operate.

Taking into consideration the facts in the present case the bench noted that,

“During the previous hearings in 2019, the State Animal Welfare Board had told the High Court that under the provisions of the above Act, pet shop owners need to present an application before the board to get their establishments registered, and on satisfaction, a certificate of registration was issued.”

The Bench noted that the plea raised a "serious issue", and thereby directed the Board to inform it about the number of pet shops that were registered and were operating as per rules.

Lastly, the Bench also directed the petitioner to implead the State Animal Welfare Board as a party in the plea and urged the Maharashtra Animal Welfare Board to submit an action taken report by Sep 2.

The matter has been adjourned to Aug 30.