Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant Wedding: Delhi High Court rejects concerns

The Delhi High Court refused to entertain a plea seeking action against Reliance’s mega zoo and a trust owned by the conglomerate for organising Anant Ambani’s wedding with Radhika Merchant at Reliance Greens in Jamnagar, Gujarat. .An advocate named Rahul Narula had approached the High Court seeking directions to the Animal Welfare Board of India to file a complaint against Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust and Greens Zoological, Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre.He said that various wedding-related events that are scheduled for March will harm the animals in the area..A Bench of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Girish Kathpalia observed that the petition cannot be entertained since it is merely based on apprehensions..The Court, however, said that the High Powered Committee (HPC) constituted to examine complaints about animal organisations can be present at the location to oversee the event and take all precautions to ensure no inhumane behaviour is caused to the animals. The HPC was constituted on the orders of the Tripura High Court in 2022. “Since a High Powered Committee has already been constituted after the directions passed by Hon’ble Tripura High Court in the case of Sudipa Nath (supra), therefore, the said Committee is at liberty to be present and oversee the aforesaid event and to take all cautions permissible under law, if any, to ensure that no inhumane behaviour is caused to the animals… It is made clear that either HPC may depute any of its member to oversee the event scheduled from 01.03.2024 to 03.02.2024 or HPC may go itself to oversee the aforesaid event,” the Court ordered..In his plea, Narula had said that he came across a newspaper report in January regarding the wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant. As per the report and the wedding card, the dates of the pre-wedding and wedding festivities are in March and the venue is Reliance Greens in Jamnagar, Gujarat.Narula said that Reliance has direct control over the zoo and the trust as they are situated on the property owned by Reliance. Further, the invite is the evidence that they are going to hold functions, parties, events, or performances at the location.He also challenged Section 23 of The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals Act, 1960, on the ground that his right to file a criminal complaint on the issue was being curtailed by the said provision. .Meanwhile, counsel appearing for Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust and Greens Zoological, Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre stated that the petition was not maintainable, that it was frivolous and filed with ulterior motives.He argued that the petition was based on an unfounded apprehension that use of animals will be allowed in a private event.The Court was also told that Reliance Complex, Jamnagar is spread over 7,500 acres including a 3,059 acre green belt and is a private property not open for public events.It was stated that a one-time private, personal and non-commercial event is being held for the wedding in various locations in the complex and there is no provision that prohibits the zoo or the trust from inviting guests to view their facilities, especially for non-commercial purposes..The Court considered the case and found no grounds to pass any directions..Advocate Pritam Biswas appeared for the petitioner.Advocates Shardul Singh, Devika Mohan, Ahish Shahpurkar and Anjali Tiwari represented Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust and Greens Zoological, Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre..[Read Judgment]