Animal Cruelty | HC questions State inaction on proposed Ban on Glue Traps

Today, the Gujarat High Court pulled up the State government for prolonged inaction on a proposed amendment to ban glue traps used for catching animals, directing the Home Department’s Principal Secretary to personally explain the delay, signalling judicial concern over continued animal cruelty due to policy stagnation.

The case arose from a public interest petition seeking the prohibition of glue traps, a method widely criticised for causing prolonged suffering to animals. The State had earlier indicated that a legislative amendment was required under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and had initiated inter-departmental consultations. However, despite assurances that the proposal would be processed and forwarded for legislative action, the matter remained stuck at the same stage for months. The petitioner’s grievance centred on this administrative inaction, arguing that continued delay effectively permits ongoing cruelty without regulatory intervention.

The Court noted that the proposal had remained under “inter-departmental discussion” for over seven and a half months without any tangible advancement. Highlighting the State’s earlier commitments, the Bench observed that “there has been no progress in the matter for a period of more than seven and a half months.” It directed the Principal Secretary to file a personal affidavit explaining the delay and clarifying steps taken to move the amendment forward.

The case is now listed for further hearing on March 27.

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