"A happy journey:" Delhi High Court entrusts Asiad Circus' Hippopotamus, Chotu with Welfare Trust

The Delhi High Court recently gave the responsibility of life-long care of Chotu, the Hippopotamus who was part of the Asiad Circus, to the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust (PETA vs Asiad Circus).."The journey of Chotu – the Hippopotamus has finally been a happy one!", the Court said..The order was passed by a single-judge Bench of Justice Prathiba M Singh. .People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) had moved the High Court seeking immediate seizure of Chotu on the ground that he was being illegally retained by the Asiad Circus, in spite of the license of the Circus having been cancelled..Subsequently, M/s Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust approached the Court and informed that the custody of the hippopotamus had been given to them by the Circus in October 2019 and since then, he was living in its facility..After perusing the photographs of hippopotamus in the facility, an Inspection Committee was directed to be sent by the Animal Welfare Board, including representatives of PETA India, to ascertain the identity of the hippopotamus, his living conditions etc..Animal Welfare Board of India expressed complete satisfaction in the manner in which the hippopotamus was being kept in the said facility, in terms of its living condition, food etc. It confirmed that all the facilities and minimum standards were being completely taken care of. .It thus suggested that the Trust may be allowed to continue the life-long care of the hippopotamus..The Trust also said that the it intended to keep the hippopotamus for the entirety of his life and undertook to give proper care and treatment to him. .In view of the facts, the Court remarked that it was "heartening" to learn that such a facility with good living conditions and high standards was being run by the Trust and ordered, "In view of the satisfaction report of the inspecting committee, submitted by way of affidavit by the AWB, it is directed that the Trust shall have life-long care of the Hippopotamus – Chotu, subject to the condition that he shall be treated with proper care and his living facilities shall be maintained as per the standards recorded in the affidavit of the AWB.".The non-bailable warrants against the owner of Asiad Circus, Riyazuddin, were also discharged. .Advocates Aman Hingorani and Himanshu Yadav appeared for PETA. .Senior Advocate Mukul Rohtagi with Advocates Neeha Nagpal, Devanshi Singh, Vishvendra Tomar appeared for the Trust. .AWB was represented by Advocates Manisha T. Karia, Sukhdra Kalra, Adarsh Kumar, Nidhi Nagpal..[Read Order]