HC orders team to keep tabs on Victoria joyrides

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Thursday has directed to set up a team comprising an officer from the traffic police and a veterinarian from a government hospital, for conducting surprise checks on horse carriages plying in south Mumbai.

A division bench headed by Chief Justice Mohit Shah was hearing a public interest litigation filed by the Animals and Birds Charitable Trust alleging cruelty to horses by using them for joyrides for people. The petitioners demanded to ban plying of Victoria horse carriages during monsoon.The court however refused to impose ban and directed to set up a team.

Directing to set up a team the court said, “The Joint Commissioner of Traffic Police shall form a team comprising one traffic police officer, one vet from a government hospital and a member of the petitioner NGOs. This team shall conduct surprise checks on Victoria horse carriages plying at Nariman Point and Colaba. If the horse is found in a bad condition, then it shall be seized immediately.”

The seized horse shall be handed over to PETA, the court said, for treatment and rehabilitation.

Senior counsel Shiraz Rustom, appearing for the petitioner NGO, demanded to band Victoria during rainy season and argued that when the NGO members stop a horse carriage owner and ask for license they are abused and even threatened.