JODHPUR: The Rajasthan High Court upheld the decision by the Lok Adalat to compensate a victim of a stray animal attack, and stated that such incidents were occurring daily and those suffering should be paid adequately on Thursday.
The single bench of Justice Vineet Kumar Mathur rejected an appeal by the Bikaner Municipal Corporation which had been ordered by the Lok Adalat to pay a compensation of Rs 3 lakh to the family of Santosh Devi, a woman who had lost her life in an attack by a stray bull.
"Taking stringent action and assigning responsibility to municipal corporations for compensation in such cases will help in preventing such accidents in the future and compel officials to carry out their duties honestly and diligently," the court said.
It rejected the municipal body's contention that the Lok Adalat had erred in pronouncing the order of compensation as it did not come under its jurisdiction. However, the high court said that the Lok Adalat had considered the provisions of Section 22 of the Act and made the correct decision.
It further stated that public protection and sanitation were the responsibility of the municipal corporation, which had failed to provide them, resulting in stray animals being on the streets.
The bench observed that the civic body has been indifferent in fulfilling its duties and providing mandated services for the public.
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