Reconstitute Animal Welfare Board without delay: Telangana High Court

The Telangana High Court directed the State government to reconstitute the Telangana State Animal Welfare Board without delay if it has not been revived after its tenure ended in 2022, observing that the government’s affidavit lacked clarity on the Board’s status

Hyderabad: Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin of the Telangana High Court on Wednesday directed the State government to ensure that the Telangana State Animal Welfare Board (TSAWB) is constituted without delay, if it has not been reconstituted after the expiry of its three-year tenure.

The Bench was hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by Humane Society International, India, seeking strict enforcement of animal welfare laws in the State. The petitioner pointed out that the TSAWB, constituted under a Government Order dated December 2, 2019, had completed its tenure on April 29, 2022 and no fresh board had been constituted thereafter.

---

Appearing for the petitioner, senior counsel D Prakash Reddy referred to the State’s counter-affidavit and submitted that though applications were invited in January 2025 for appointment of non-official members, the Board had not been formally reconstituted. He contended that the Board cannot be said to be continuing merely with official members after the expiry of its statutory tenure.

Additional Advocate General Md Imran Khan, representing the State, sought time to file an additional counter-affidavit and a latest status report, stating that the earlier counter-affidavit did not clearly reflect the government’s stand. He pointed out that certain paragraphs appeared inconsistent, one stating that steps were being taken to reconstitute the Board and proposals had been approved, while another claimed that the Board was functioning.

Recording the submission, the Bench observed that the counter-affidavit does not clearly specify the State’s stand on reconstitution of the Animal Welfare Board. The Court directed that if the Board has not been reconstituted after the expiry of the three-year period pursuant to the earlier Government Order, the respondent government shall ensure that it is constituted without any delay.

The Court also took note of the submission of the Additional Advocate General that District Societies for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals are functioning across the State and are taking action by inspecting pet shops and dog breeding centres. The matter was adjourned for further hearing after four weeks.