MCD fined Rs.1 mn for death by stray cattle

The Delhi High Court has asked the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to pay over Rs.1 million as compensation to a woman whose husband was killed by bulls on a street here. This is said to be the highest compensation ordered for a death caused by stray cattle.

Justice S. Ravinder Bhat Friday ticked off the MCD for not doing enough to end the cattle menace in the capital and ordered to pay Rs.10.25 lakh to Shakuntala, the widow of a man killed in 2005.

The court had in 2005 ordered a compensation of Rs.600,000 to families of three people gored to death by stray cattle.

In the latest case, the court asked the civic body to deposit the fine with the registry in four weeks. It would be kept in a fixed deposit for three years. After maturity the amount would be paid to Shakuntala.

Her husband Sita Ram, a fruit vendor, succumbed to injuries he sustained after he was caught between two bulls fighting on a road in the city's Shahadra area.

Justice Bhat said the accident was the consequence of neglect by MCD.

The judge also issued a slew of directions to the MCD and the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) to prevent accidents caused by stray animals in the city.

He said: "It appears that the civic agencies are impervious to the menace of stray cattle. They have not taken any effective steps to prevent the cattle and the bovine animals from taking to the roads. This has affected the quality of life of citizens."

The court asked that co-ordination committees consisting of the deputy commissioner of MCD, the secretary of NDMC, and the deputy commissioner of police of the concerned district be constituted.

"Cattle and bovine animals located in Delhi shall have a tag number tied around their necks. The tag number must be indicative of the owner to whom the animal belongs so that there is no difficulty in tracing the owner," the court said in its order.

It said the civic bodies should prosecute owners of cattle found on the streets and added that the animals should be released only after a fine of Rs.1,000 is paid.

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( 380 Words)

2009-07-04-15:11:21 (IANS)

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