Birds have fundamental right to "live with dignity" and “fly in sky”: Delhi High Court

New Delhi, May 6, 2019:

The Delhi High Court has stated that the birds have the fundamental right to "live with dignity" and fly in the sky without being kept in cages or subjected to cruelty while hearing on a case related to bird trade. The court also mentioned that this is a "violation of their rights".

Claiming that human beings have no right to keep them in small cages for the purposes of their business or otherwise, Justice Manmohan Singh expressed his grief saying instead of being allowed to fly the birds are illegally exported to foreign countries without the availability of proper food, water or medical aid.

The high court has issued the notice to Delhi Police and bird owner, Md Mohazzim seeking their response by May 28.

The order was issued staying the direction of a trial court which had allowed some birds to be released to Md Mohazzim from whom the birds were rescued based on his plea.

The stay orders came up after a plea was filed by NGO People for Animals, challenging the release of birds into the custody of Mohazzim without hearing the NGO which had freed the birds.