SC notice to Environment Ministry on Andhra dinner case

NEW DELHI, JAN 18: The Supreme Court today issued notices to the Union Environment Ministry and top wildlife officials on a petition seek...

NEW DELHI, JAN 18: The Supreme Court today issued notices to the Union Environment Ministry and top wildlife officials on a petition seeking Central Bureau of Investigation (CBO) probe into the alleged serving of meat of wild animals at a dinner in Andhra Pradesh which was attended, among others, by Lok Sabha Speaker G M C Balayogi.

A division bench, comprising Justices Sujata Manohar and R C Lahoti, also issued notices returnable in four weeks to Wildlife Director and Inspector General of Forests in the Ministry on the allegation that the killing of wild animals like spotted deer, peacocks, wild boar and hare for the dinner violated the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

The public interest litigation filed by Dr P Pullarao said political activist K Venkata Satyanarayan hosted a dinner in honour of State Major Irrigation Minister T Nageshwar Rao in October last year in the vicinity of Papikonda sanctuary, the only Indian wild buffalo and bison sanctuary in the eastern ghats, at Marlakunta village.

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Thepetitioner alleged the 500 odd invitees included Balayogi, State Revenue Minister T Devender Goud, Excise Minister M Venkateswar Rao, Panchayat Raj Minister K Siva Prasad Rao and Roads and Buildings Minister B Gopalakrishna Reddy.

The petitioner termed the inquiry ordered by the State Government as a farce and alleged efforts were being made by those involved in the crime to destroy evidence.

The petitioner alleged on October 10 and 12 last year a hunting party was sent by Satyanarayana for the feast to nearby forests which were part of Papikonda sanctuary and “Some 100 animals were hunted and killed.”

“The animals served for food are all listed in the schedules to the Wildlife (Protection) Act as being protected animals,” he said and alleged, “some of the staff of the Forest Department at the field level have cooperated with the hunters.”

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The petitioner said the media reported that sustained efforts were made to destroy evidence like disposing of the bones, antlers and skins of the animalswhich were killed for the dinner and the witnesses were threatened not to give statements before the authorities.

While seeking a CBI probe into the matter, he said there were apprehensions that the probe ordered by the State Government could not be conducted fairly as those involved in the dinner were State ministers and top officials.