December 2: The Bombay High Court today set aside the order of a metropolitan magistrate directing the return of six lionesses lodged in Sanjay Gandhi National Park to the Great Golden Circus.

Ahimsa, an animal welfare organisation, had moved the court for release of these lionesses.

After hearing a hectic round of arguments, stretched over four days, Justice S S Parkar today ruled that the infirm lionesses -- Basanti, Lily, Gauri, Tina, Ganga and Sita -- would continue to be in the custody of National Park till the disposal of four criminal cases pending in lower court against the circus management, or till the veterinary doctor certified that the animals were fit to be discharged.

The cases are registered under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

The High Court also ordered that the trial of criminal cases should start on December 11 and by all means conclude on December 24.

The petition said the magistrate had failed to appreciate that the report of veterinary doctors which clearly showed that the circus was not treating the animals properly and had failed to take care of them, as five lionesses were blind and the sixth one was very weak and pregnant.

Ahimsa counsel Rajani Iyer today submitted that the magistrate, while passing an order on November 21 on return of lionesses, had failed to consider that once the animals were handed over to the circus, the poor creatures would again be subjected to cruelty by being made to perform various feats.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.