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P&H High Court Cracks Down on Chandigarh SPCA Over Starving Dogs and Shelter Woes
In a stern courtroom showdown, the , presided over by Justice Alka Sarin , has spotlighted alarming lapses at the in Sector 38. Hearing two — Shaurya Madan v. Nishant Kumar Yadav & Anr. (COCP-5244-2025) and v. Nishant Kumar Yadav & Ors. (COCP-4465-2025)—the court ordered the SPCA to file an detailing steps to fix inadequate nutrition for shelter dogs, while granting a exclusive CCTV access for ongoing oversight.
Roots of the Rift: Sparks Contempt Fire
The saga traces back to a Division Bench order in (dated ), directing the to ensure proper diet, treatment, clean water, and ventilated spaces for animals at the SPCA. Petitioners Shaurya Madan and the accused the SPCA and administration of contempt, alleging neglect including caged healthy dogs, poor hygiene, and subpar feeding.
A court-appointed , (named on ), delivered a scathing report on , complete with photos of rice-egg-dalia bowls and injured dogs. This fueled hearings where staff absenteeism due to unpaid salaries emerged as a core grievance.
Petitioners' Volley: Funds Flowed, But Animals Fared Poorly
Counsel for the petitioners, including and , hammered the SPCA's audited balance sheet for : ₹1.22 crore total spend, with ₹1.09 crore on salaries, a paltry ₹3.53 lakh on feed, and just ₹57,565 on medicals. They decried volunteer barriers via lengthy forms and sought CCTV transparency, arguing defiance of the order threatened animal lives.
The 's input amplified claims: employees skipped duties over salary delays, food portions skimped on protein, and hygiene faltered.
SPCA and Admin Push Back: Admin Hurdles, Not Apathy
Respondent No.1 (UT Administration), via , produced orders sanctioning ₹50 lakh ( ) and releasing ₹70 lakh ( ), insisting funds were disbursed—any misuse was SPCA's burden.
SPCA counsel countered salary delays as "administrative issues," confirming payments and imminent February payouts. On volunteers, they simplified registration to basics (name, photos, ID, SOP undertaking), capping at five entrants, 2-3 PM photography, and instant bans for misbehavior. Veterinarians Dr. Prateek Balana and Dr. Gaurav Lakhanpal assured free roaming for healthy dogs and hygiene upgrades.
Yet, their nutrition math backfired: 45-47 eggs per feed for 47 dogs fell short of the 150g protein (4-5 eggs) needed per 20kg dog.
No Precedents, Pure Accountability: Court's Razor-Sharp Logic
The court invoked no prior cases but dissected facts clinically, tying lapses to non-compliance. Justice Sarin noted even SPCA doctors conceded nutritional deficits, underscoring over government aid. CCTV access was calibrated—exclusive to the to preempt misuse—balancing oversight with privacy.
Volunteer pacts reflected consensus, but animal-centric mandates dominated.
Key Observations from the Bench
"Hence, even as per the statement made by both the doctors present in Court, the nutritional requirement of the dogs is not being met."
"Let anbe filed by respondent No.2-SPCA stating the steps which would be taken by them to ensure that the nutritional requirement of the animals is duly met with."
"Ms. Shruti Sharma, Advocate... is given free access to the CCTV footage. She would submit a report to the Court in case she finds anything amiss... The CCTV footage... shall not be shared with the petitioners and shall not be made public."
"Learned counsel for the parties arethat at any point of time a maximum of five volunteers would be allowed to visit the SPCA."
Remedies Ordered: , Eyes in the Sky, and Paid Watchdog
The court mandated:
- SPCA by next hearing ( ) on nutrition fixes.
- (Shruti Sharma) gets unfettered CCTV review, reporting anomalies privately.
- Volunteer protocols enforced: simplified entry, timed media, behavior clauses.
- Ongoing assurances : 24/7 CCTV (one-month retention), hygiene, free roaming for healthy dogs.
Petitioners' counsel volunteered ₹10,000 monthly for the Commissioner's visits, signaling commitment. This interim order enforces directives, potentially setting a template for shelter accountability nationwide—financial transparency, nutritional benchmarks, and neutral monitoring could redefine SPCA operations amid rising animal welfare scrutiny.
Matter listed for .
