Delhi Court Orders Fresh Probe into Animal Testing Facility

Drug Abuse

Posted by AI on 2025-09-18 03:11:35 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-15 18:55:27

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In a significant development, the Delhi High Court has intervened in a case of alleged animal abuse at a drug-testing laboratory, raising questions about the treatment of animals in India's research facilities. The court's decision to launch a fresh investigation into Palamur Biosciences Pvt Ltd, a Telangana-based lab, comes after conflicting reports and accusations of negligence and conflict of interest. This move highlights the judiciary's role in ensuring ethical practices in animal experimentation.

Animal rights group PETA initiated the legal battle, alleging that beagle dogs and mini pigs at the facility were subjected to abuse and neglect. Their claims were supported by a report from the Committee for Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CCSEA), which detailed disturbing findings. However, a subsequent inspection committee's report contradicted these allegations, leading to suspicions of bias. The controversy intensified when the Local Commissioner associated with this inspection was accused of having a conflict of interest, further clouding the issue.

The High Court's response is a measured attempt to clarify the situation. Justice Sachin Datta has appointed a new three-member panel, comprising experts from various fields, to conduct an independent assessment. This team will include representatives from the CCSEA, the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), and a court-appointed Local Commissioner. Their task is to provide an unbiased evaluation of the facility's conditions, which will then be shared with PETA and the CCSEA.

As the court awaits the inspection report, the fate of the animals hangs in the balance. PETA's demands for immediate action, including the cancellation of licenses and rehabilitation of animals, have not been granted yet. Instead, the court has directed the CCSEA to take appropriate steps based on the new inspection's findings. This case serves as a critical test of India's regulatory mechanisms in animal research, with the potential to set a precedent for future oversight and accountability.

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