Karnataka High Court has allowed investigation to continue into disappearance of 21 stray dogs from DRDO township,Kaggadasapura. Court decision came Tuesday after lifting previous stay on inquiry, sparked by complaint from animal husbandry official.
Case began with public complaint about mistreatment of strays at DRDO premises. FIR filed March 9 by Vivek K. Bidarakar, Assistant Director of Animal Husbandry,after reports from activists and public. Concerns grew after March 5 incident when EMU staff allegedly captured three dogs . Video of event spread on social media, sparking allegations that 21 dogs went missing .
Justice M. Nagaprasanna,presiding over case, said investigation should proceed,but police must not harass DRDO officials involved. Court stressed petitioners,Rakesh Kumar Sahu and T.G. Sudhakar, should cooperate without fear of coercion .
Petitioners,accused alongside three unidentified individuals in FIR, challenged allegations. Their attorney,Additional Solicitor General Arvind Kamath, called charges “preposterous.” He argued offenses cited,like giving false info and causing nuisance, didn't apply to his clients.
Kamath insisted investigation needed to find out how dogs were taken from DRDO campus and where they are now. He claimed DRDO staff not involved in capture or disappearance.
On other side,Vaishali Hegde, representing city corporation,disputed petitioners' claims,arguing unauthorized entry into secured DRDO township impossible. She said investigation necessary to find who accessed area and what happened to dogs.
State Prosecutor B.N. Jagadheesha admitted FIR charges might have been wrongly cited,but said investigation should go on to reveal truth behind missing dogs . Court agreed,allowing probe to continue based on any relevant offenses that may arise .
Mahadevapura police ordered to submit report by August 11,with court scheduling follow-up hearing for that date. Case has drawn public interest,raising issues about animal welfare and DRDO's role in managing stray populations…
