The Delhi High Court has directed authorities to take action against the spurious use of oxytocin in dairy colonies here, saying the administration of the hormone amounts to animal cruelty and is an offence.
A bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan Court asked the Delhi government’s department of drugs control to conduct weekly inspections and register cases which will be investigated by the police.
The court further asked the Intelligence Department of Delhi Police to identify the sources of oxytocin production, packaging and distribution and take action in accordance with law.
The court’s order came on a petition by Sunayana Sibal and others concerning the state of dairies in the national capital.
The bench, also comprising Justice Manmeet PS Arora, recorded that one of the issues flagged by the court commissioner was the “rampant use” of oxytocin to force milk let-down and to increase production of milk in the cattle.
“Since administering of oxytocin amounts to animal cruelty and is a cognisable offence under Section 12 of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, consequently, this Court directs the Department of Drugs Control, GNCTD to conduct weekly inspections and ensure that all cases of spurious oxytocin usage or possession are registered under Section 12 of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and Section 18(a) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940,” the court said in its order passed on May 1.
“The said offences are directed to be investigated by the jurisdictional police stations. The Intelligence Department of Delhi Police is directed to identify the sources of such spurious oxytocin production, packaging and distribution and take action in accordance with law,” it added.
