The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a notice to the Forest and Wildlife Department, Chandigarh, on a petition filed by tattoo artist Kamaljit Singh. He is seeking to quash a criminal complaint filed against him for allegedly keeping a monkey at his shop.
According to The Tribune, the case dates back six years when Kamaljit Singh, owner of M/s Kamz Inkzone tattoo shop in Sector 35, Chandigarh, and his manager were arrested. The arrest followed a complaint received by the Department of Forest and Wildlife on July 24, 2020.
What the Complaint Alleged
The complaint alleged that Singh and his manager had kept a Rhesus Macaque (monkey) at the tattoo shop. It also claimed that they regularly shared videos featuring the animal on social media platforms.
After receiving the complaint, the Chief Wildlife Warden registered a case under several sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. These include Sections 9, 2(16)(b), 39, and 51, which deal with hunting of wild animals, definitions of wild animals, ownership and possession, and penalties.
High Court’s Response
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has now taken up Singh’s petition. The court issued a notice to the Forest and Wildlife Department, Chandigarh, asking for their response to the plea seeking to quash the complaint.
As reported by The Tribune on X, the court’s notice marks a significant step in the legal proceedings that have been ongoing for six years.
Our Take: A Case That Raises Questions
This case highlights a clash between wildlife protection laws and individual actions. While the law is clear about protecting wild animals like the Rhesus Macaque, the question here is whether the tattoo artist’s actions — keeping a monkey and sharing videos — warrant a criminal case that has dragged on for six years.
In our view, the High Court’s decision to issue a notice is a fair move. It allows the court to examine the facts of the case closely. The Forest Department will now have to present its side, and the court can decide if the case has merit or if it should be quashed. This is a reminder that wildlife laws are strict, but they must also be applied fairly.
