Delhi HC to Hear Plea on Sexual Violence Against Animals on July 16
The Delhi High Court has set July 16 to hear a plea concerning the protection of animals from sexual violence and the prosecution of those involved in it.
The Court has posted the matter in July to enable the petitioner to bring more facts on record.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela was dealing with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO), raising concerns that sexual crimes against animals are going unpunished due to legal loopholes.
It is FIAPO's case that after the repeal of Section 377 IPC in the new Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), there is no provision left to penalise those who indulge in sexual violence against animals.
According to the PIL, the top court had, in the Navtej Singh Johar case, decriminalised consensual same-sex relations. However, it has been contended that the complete removal of Section 377 in BNS has left animals unprotected from sexual violence and abuse.
Therefore, the plea before the High Court has sought restoration of protections under the former Section 377, specifically for animals.
Citing a recent recommendation by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, the PIL states that the said committee has proposed bringing back a provision to criminalise non-consensual sexual acts involving men, transpersons, and animals.
PIL has further highlighted recent incidents of animal sexual abuse. It cited a case in Delhi's Shahdara, wherein a man was arrested for allegedly raping several dogs.
Referring to another incident in Saket, the plea stated that a dog was found injured and unconscious, with a condom retrieved from its private parts. It also referred to an incident in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore, where a construction worker was caught sexually abusing a dog.