Telangana High Court orders reconstitution of state animal welfare board ‘without delay’

Urging the court to direct authorities to formally reconstitute and operationalise the TSAWB to perform its statutory duties, the petition also sought the appointment of a committee led by a retired high court judge to monitor the authorities and ensure they are actually enforcing these animal cruelty laws. It also sought the launch of a public campaign and the issuance of official circulars to clarify how pet shops and breeders must register, aiming to eliminate illegal, unregistered operations.

On Wednesday, the senior counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the TSAWB had expired on April 29, 2022, and no new board had been constituted. He cited the counter-affidavit filed by the state authorities to state that in January 2025, applications were invited for non-official members of the board. He pointed out that the counter-affidavit states that the board is functional.

Contradiction pointed out

Representing the state, Additional Advocate General (AAG) Md Imran Khan informed the court that he would like to file a clarification to the state’s counter-affidavit dated March 7, 2025, as paragraph 1 and 4 were contradicting each other. While the first paragraph says authorities were taking up required steps to reconstitute the board and proposals have been approved, the fourth paragraph states the board was actively functioning with its official members promptly addressing any issues. He requested the court to allow him to file a clarification as well as a latest status report.

The senior counsel contended that there was no contradiction as the board was functioning with its official members, and without the non-official members, despite the expiry of the tenure. “The board does not continue is my submission,” the senior counsel stated.

The bench noted that the original counter-affidavit does not clearly specify the state’s stand on the reconstitution of the animal welfare board. “In case the animal welfare board has not been reconstituted after the expiry of the three year period, pursuant to the constitution of the earlier board by GO [government order] dated December 2, 2019, the respondent government would ensure that the board is constituted without any delay,” the bench observed in its order.

So far as the actual relief is concerned, the AAG contended, there are district societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals in all the districts, and their members are taking action actively in visiting pet shops and dog breeding centres. The court then adjourned the matter for further hearing after four weeks.