Karnataka HC warns of contempt proceedings against Chief Secretary
Bengaluru (PTI): The High Court of Karnataka on Tuesday warned that it would be forced to initiate contempt of court proceedings against the Chief Secretary if the State fails to implement its order of providing land for graveyards in all villages and towns within two weeks.
A Division Bench of the court is hearing a civil contempt petition filed by one Mohammed Iqbal who has alleged that the State has failed to follow an earlier order of the HC in 2019 that had directed it to provide land for graveyards in all villages within six weeks.
In September 2022, the State had informed the HC in a compliance report that it had handed over 23,815 burial grounds to local authorities and the process of handing over 3,765 burial grounds was still pending.
The government was also in the process of identifying and purchasing land for burial grounds in 516 places where there were no government land available.
On Tuesday, the State sought two more weeks to complete the process.
The division bench of Justice B Veerappa and Justice K S Hemalekha, however, noted that it had provided ample time to the State to follow its orders.
The Court said that if its orders are not implemented within two weeks, the Chief Secretary would have to be personally present in the court on the next date of hearing on February 7 and it would initiate contempt proceedings against the officer.
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Elephant calf brought from Bijnor kept under care at Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
Pilibhit (PTI): A 19-day-old elephant calf, brought from Bijnor, was placed under care at the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) on Sunday, an official said and added that the calf got separated from its mother in the forest area of Bijnor.
The calf was born on December 2 in the Bijnor forest area and got separated from its mother shortly after birth, the official said.
The forest department made several attempts to reunite it with its mother, but without any success. To ensure the calf's safety and better care, it was decided to transfer it to the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve on the instructions of senior officials.
On Saturday, Deputy Director Manish Singh received the calf. Special arrangements have been made in the reserve for its care. It has been kept in a safe and clean environment to provide it with a natural setting and protect it from external noise and disturbances.
Singh told reporters that raising an 19-day-old calf is challenging.
It requires a special diet as a substitute for mother's milk and constant monitoring.
He said a special team has been formed to provide 24-hour care. Since the calf is very young, it is being cared for like a newborn baby.
According to Singh, the primary responsibility for monitoring the calf's health has been entrusted to PTR's veterinarian, Dr Daksh Gangwar. Under his supervision, a complete record of the calf's health checkups, diet, and body temperature is being maintained. The team is ensuring that the calf does not contract any infection.
