Kerala HC Directs Immediate Appointment Of Veterinary Doctors In Lakshadweep

The Kerala High Court has issued a directive to the Lakshadweep Administration to promptly appoint veterinary doctors to provide healthcare for animals and birds within three weeks.

A division bench of Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque and Justice Sophy Thomas, instructed that these doctors be appointed either on a contractual or permanent basis.

Furthermore, the court ordered the Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, Agriculture, and Animal Husbandry of Lakshadweep, Shashank Mani Tripathi, to personally appear before the court if no action is taken within the given timeframe.

This interim order stems from a contempt of court case filed by retired assistant veterinary surgeon C.P. Abdul Kabeer. The court had previously issued an order on March 30, 2023, stating that interim arrangements should be made to provide veterinary services. However, during the recent court hearing on June 27, 2023, the petitioner’s counsel, Advocate K.M. Firoz, informed the court that no steps had been taken by the Lakshadweep Administration in this regard, while the Standing Counsel claimed that actions were being taken.

Considering these circumstances, the court issued the interim order and scheduled the matter for further consideration on July 18, 2023.