Introduction:

The Gujarat High Court has expressed concerns over the delay by both the Railways and the State Forest Department in addressing the accidental deaths of two lions on railway tracks in Amreli district. The court emphasized the need for prompt action to investigate the cause of these accidents and implement corrective measures to prevent further incidents.

Arguments of Both Sides:

The petitioner, animal rights activist Biren Pandya, filed a PIL in 2016 demanding a CID probe into the electrocution-death of a pregnant lioness. The High Court established a committee to address the issue. However, when incidents of lion deaths on railway tracks occurred, the Court sought accountability from Forest and Railway officials for their inaction. The Additional Advocate General informed the Court about ongoing maintenance work near railway tracks, but the bench criticized the slow progress of the Forest Department.

Court’s Judgment:

The Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Aniruddha P. Mayee, raised concerns over the delay in investigating the lion deaths. The Court instructed the Forest Department and Railway authorities to develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to prevent such accidents in the future. It called for personal affidavits from the Chief Conservator of Forest and the Divisional Railway Manager to address the impact of railway track conversions on lion corridors. The Court emphasized the need for prompt implementation of the SOP and scheduled further hearings on the matter.