Azamgarh: FIR Registered Against Man for Hunting Protected Birds, Following PETA India Complaint
In response to a social media post (which has now been taken down) by a man who reportedly hunted and killed several Blue Rock Doves and Yellow-Footed Green Pigeons, species protected under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act (WPA), 1972, and Spotted Doves, protected under Schedule IV of the Act, PETA India collaborated with Azamgarh forest division and police officials to register a First Information Report (FIR). In the image published by the accused on his Instagram, the dead birds were placed beside a rifle. To ensure that justice is served to the fullest extent of the law, PETA India further worked with the Azamgarh police to have relevant stringent provisions added to the first information report (FIR) that were left out when it was initially registered on 08 August. According to police, the accused is not currently residing in Saraimeer, and he has been summoned to the station through his family.
An FIR was initially registered against an unknown individual based on a complaint filed by the sub-divisional forest officer under sections 9 and 51 of the WPA, 1972. After PETA India’s intervention, stringent provisions – Section 27(1) of the Arms Act, 1959; Section 325 of the BNS, 2023; and Section 11(1) of the PCA Act, 1960 – have now been incorporated into the FIR.
Section 27(1) of the Arms Act, 1959, prescribes the punishment for illegal manufacture and use of arms and provides for a jail term of not less than three years, which may extend to seven years and a fine. Section 9 of the WPA, 1972, prohibits the hunting of protected wild animals, while Section 51 of the WPA, 1972, makes offences against Schedule II and IV species punishable by a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh, a jail term of up to three years, or both. Section 325 of the BNS, 2023, makes the maiming or killing of any animal a cognisable offence and provides for a jail term of up to five years, a fine, or both. Furthermore, Section 11(1) of the PCA Act, 1960, defines acts that are cruel to animals and makes the same punishable under the law, in particular Section 11(1)(l), which makes it a cognisable offence to kill or mutilate any animal.
When animals are hunted, they often simply get injured, and die painfully and slowly over time. We thank the Divisional Forest Officer, Azamgarh, Shri G D Mishra, and Station House Officer, Saraimeer police station, Shri Nihar Nandan, for promptly registering the FIR and sending a clear message that cruelty to animals will not be tolerated.
