IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SIRI JAGAN THURSDAY, THE 4TH JUNE 2009 / 14TH JYAISHTA 1931 WP(C).No. 22668 of 2007(W) -------------------------- PETITIONER: ------------- M.V.RAGHAVAN, PRESIDENT, PARASSINIKKADAVU SNAKE PARK, A UNIT OF PAPPINISSERI VIZHACHIKILSA SOCIETY, PARASSINIKKADAVU P.O., KANNUR DISTRICT. BY ADV. SRI.B.S.SWATHY KUMAR RESPONDENTS: ---------------- 1. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. THE CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS (WILDLIFE) & CHIEF WILDLIFE WARDEN. BY SPL. GOVT. PLEADER(FOREST), SRI.P.N. PAULOSE THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 04/06/2009, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: WPC : 22668/07 APPENDIX PETITIONER'S EXHIBITS: EXT.P1 : TRUE COPY OF THE LIST OF ANIMALS AND REPTILES NOW HOUSED IN THE PARK WHICH HAS GOT THE CONCERNED CERTIFICATE OF POSSESSION FROM THE 2ND RESPONDENT. EXT.P2 : TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 20.07.98 IN OP NO.13567/98-M OF THIS HON'BLE COURT. EXT.P3 : TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER NO.11-4/98-AW DATED 26.4.98. EXT.P4 : TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER NO.23-47/94-CZA(369)(VOL.III)(M) DATED 17.11.05 TO THE PETITIONER. EXT.P5 : TRUE COPY OF THE RELEVANT PORTION OF THE LIST OF RECOGNISED ZOO IN THE STATE OF KERALA. EXT.P6 : TRUE COPY OF THE NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED in the DESHABHIMANI DAILY DATED 07.07.07. EXT.P7 : TRUE COPY OF THE NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED IN DESHABHIMANI DAILY DATED 13.07.07. EXT.P8 : TRUE COPY OF THE PUBLICIATION DESHABHIMANI DAILY DATED 20.07.07. /TRUE COPY/ PA TO JUDGE S. SIRI JAGAN, J. ------------------------------------------------- W.P.(C)No. 22668 OF 2007 ------------------------------------------------- Dated this the 4th day of June, 2009 JUDGMENT Petitioner is the President of the Parassinikkadavu Snake park, which he claims is maintained as a zoo. According to the petitioner, that zoo is recognised by the Central Zoo Authority as per Ext.P5. Petitioner alleges that in spite of that fact, on the ground that the zoo is being conducted without proper recognition, respondents have been initiating action against the petitioner for closing down the zoo. He is alleging that this is on account of political rivalry since the petitioner is in the opposite political camp and whenever the opposite side comes into power in the State the action against the park is renewed. According to the petitioner, the earlier attempts to do the same during the earlier period when the opposite political camp came to power were disapproved of by a Division Bench of this Court, as a result of which the petitioner was allowed to continue to run the zoo. Petitioner now apprehends that similar action would be initiated by respondents in the matter again, since the opposite camp has again come to power. Therefore, the petitioner has filed this writ WPC : 22668/07 -:2:- petition seeking the following reliefs: “a) issue a writ of prohibition commanding and compelling the respondents not to initiate any action against the Parassinikkadavu Snake Park which is a Zoo recognised by the Central Zoo Authority, such as steps to close down the park or confiscate the animals; b) declare that the Parassinikadavu Snake Park is a Zoo recognised by the Central Zoo Authority as per Ext.P5 and that the park is legally entitled to function as a Zoo. c) declare that the respondents have no manner of right or authority under the Wildlife Protection Act the sole Act regulating the functioning, recognition etc., of the Zoo in the country to initiate any action against the park or to direct the park to be closed down or to confiscate the animals since the park is a Zoo recognised by the Central Zoo Authority;” 2. No counter affidavit has been field in the matter. Learned Government pleader seeks time to file a counter affidavit. I am of opinion that, in the nature of the order I propose to pass, it is not necessary to keep this writ petition pending for filing counter affidavit. 3. The counsel for the petitioner submits that the application for permanent recognition of the zoo is pending consideration of the Central Zoo Authority. 4. I am of opinion that any action if taken against the zoo, can only be after proper notice and hearing to the petitioner. In view of the allegations made by the petitioner, I am of opinion that, if WPC : 22668/07 -:3:- ultimately any proceedings are initiated which culminates in an adverse order to the petitioner, the petitioner should be given sufficient time to challenge that order appropriately. In the above circumstances, the writ petition is disposed of with the following directions: Any action that may be initiated by the respondent against the Parassinikkadavu snake park maintained by the petitioner shall only be after due notice, opportunity to adduce evidence and hearing to the petitioner. After the above procedure is completed, a considered and reasoned order dealing with all the contentions of the petitioner shall also be passed. If the order so passed is adverse to the petitioner, the same shall not be implemented for a period of one month from the date when the order is served on the petitioner, so that the petitioner can take appropriate action to challenge the same in accordance with law. The writ petition is disposed of as above. S. SIRI JAGAN, JUDGE ttb WPC : 22668/07 -:4:-