Mr. Sunil Malhotra & Ors. v. State, NCT of Delhi & Ors.
Case brief
What is this about?
Superdari and custody of rescued pet dogs, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act Section 11 trial; animal custody distinguished from inanimate property; emotional bond with adopters recognised; consent-based modification returning pomeranians Mishti, Coco and Cotton to adoptive petitioners; superdarinama Rs. 50,000/- each; custody revertible to original claimant upon acquittal subject to welfare; cruelty question left to trial court; W.P.(CRL) 581/2026, High Court of Delhi, 16.04.2026.
What did the court decide?
Petition disposed of: impugned superdari orders modified by consent; the three female pomeranian dogs (Mishti, Coco and Cotton) to be released to the petitioners through the IO; superdarinamas of Rs. 50,000/- each to be furnished by the petitioners; custody to revert to respondent no.3 if he is acquitted, subject to the dogs' welfare; copy of order to be given dasti to the IO.