The Delhi High Court on Monday issued notices on a writ petition seeking compensation of Rs.50 lakh to the next of kin of 22-year-old Maqsood, who was mauled to death by a white tiger at the Delhi zoo recently. The petition has been filed by Fatima, wife of the deceased.
The petitioner contended that the government authorities were liable to pay compensation to Maqsood’s family members for their “act of negligence and safety and security lapses” that resulted in the tragic death of the young man at the National Zoological Park here on September 23.
Authorities to reply in four weeksJustice Vibhu Bakhru of the High Court issued notices to the Union Government, Delhi Government, Central Zoo Authority and Delhi Police Commissioner, asking them to file their replies within four weeks.
Petitioner’s counsel Mohammed Faisal said the zoo authorities had committed negligence and failed to follow the guidelines, rules and norms laid down by the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, while dealing with the case. Besides, the police failed to find any witnesses and registered an FIR against unknown persons.
According to the petition, Maqsood lost his life as the authorities, with the responsibility to protect and take care of visitors at the zoo, had failed to discharge their duty and there were no emergency or contingency plans to rescue people from such untoward incidents.
