Agreeing with his contention, the court said: ``Prima facie it appears that neither an application was submitted by the respondent that he wants the articles for personal use nor has the CWW formed any opinion about his bonafide claim, which is a requirement under the Wildlife Act.'' ``There is nothing on record to show that CWW has formed an opinion on the bonafide use of the articles and a prior permission of wildlife director was sought,'' the division bench stated.

Panjwani said that the CWW had to form an opinion after considering the desire to retain the articles for bonafide personal use, need of the family, valid licence and actual physical possession of the articles.

Status report on new jails in Delhi sought
The Delhi High Court has sought the status report on the establishment of three new jails in the capital, undertaken with a view to tackle overcrowding in Tihar Central Jail and improving prison conditions. Justice Anil Dev Singh recently directed the counsel for the central government to place the details before the court within four weeks and adjourned the matter to January 12. The government has proposed the establishment of five jails in the capital, but at present is considering the construction of only three, at Narela, Dwarka and Mandawali. The counsel for the central government assured the court that the latter would be apprised of the latest position in the matter on the next date of hearing.

Delhi Government standing counsel Arvind Nigam said that the land for the jails to be constructed at Narela and Dwarka had to be acquired. The court, taking a suo-moto note of the condition in the jails, recommended setting up of the new ones. The Santosh Duggal Committee, which went into prison conditions, had recommended the immediate setting up of more jails to reduce overcrowding in Tihar.