Court mandates salary disbursal, volunteer management, and nutritional requirements for animals at SPCA facilities.
In a significant ruling, the Punjab and Haryana High Court, presided over by Justice Alka Sarin, addressed several administrative and welfare concerns at the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Chandigarh. The judgment highlights critical issues including unpaid salaries, inadequate volunteer management, insufficient nutritional provisions for animals, and the need for stringent monitoring of SPCA operations.
The court was informed of delays in salary payments to SPCA employees, which contributed to negligence towards animal care. Respondent No.1's counsel provided records of financial assistance sanctioned for SPCA, revealing that Rs. 50 lakh and Rs. 70 lakh were released in 2025. Counsel for respondent No.2 assured the court that salaries for January 2026 have been paid, with February’s dues to follow soon.
Volunteer management at SPCA also came under scrutiny, with the court simplifying the registration process to require only basic information and a commitment to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs). An agreement was reached to limit volunteer access to five individuals at a time, with regulated timings for photography and videography.
Concerns about the nutritional needs of animals, particularly dogs, were raised. The court ordered SPCA to file an affidavit outlining steps to meet these requirements, as current provisions fall short of necessary protein intake.
The court also addressed financial discrepancies in SPCA's expenditure, emphasizing the need for proper allocation of resources for animal welfare. An audit revealed disproportionate spending on salaries compared to feed and medical expenses.
Furthermore, the court granted a Local Commissioner access to CCTV footage to monitor SPCA operations, ensuring compliance with hygiene standards and proper animal care. The footage is to remain confidential and not shared publicly.
The case is adjourned to April 7, 2026, with directives for continued oversight and improvements in SPCA's functioning, while the Local Commissioner is compensated for her oversight duties.
Bottom Line:
Directions issued for proper functioning of Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), including payment of salaries to employees, volunteer management, hygiene maintenance, nutritional needs of animals, and monitoring through CCTV footage.
Statutory provision(s): N/A
Shaurya Madan v. Nishant Kumar Yadav, (Punjab And Haryana) : Law Finder Doc id # 2865165
